• Different species appear to tolerate different amounts of renal ischemia. It is suggested that all kidneys are equally susceptible to ischemic damage, but that the whole animal response varies between species.
Mice, rats, rabbits, and pigs were subjected to bilateral nephrectomy. Large animals had relatively smaller kidneys and survived longer than smaller animals. Therefore, the larger the animal, the more time available for recovery of a kidney damaged by ischemia. This adequately explains the apparent species differences in susceptibility to renal ischemia, which are only seen when the kidney is expected to support life immediately.
Simple relationships are described, relating metabolic rate, body size, and survival time with no renal function.
(Arch Surg 111:582-584, 1976)