The production of experimental glomerulonephritis in the rat

A reproducible method of producing a chronic obliterative glomerulonephritis in the rat using a modification of the standard nephrotoxic serum nephritis model was found, which involves injections of anti rat kidney antibody followed by antibody directed against the nephrotoxic antiserum. Massive proteinuria, azotemia, hypertension, and occasionally a nephrotic syndrome develop within 2 to 8 wk following the last injection. At this time, the animals are suitable for various physiologic studies and a glomerular lesion characterized by capillary wall thickening, extensive tuft sclerosis, focal fibrinoid necrosis, and crescent formation is present in a high percentage of animals. Immunofluorescent and electron microscopic studies show that an antibasement membrane nephritis is the primary lesion, through the possibility of a superimposed immune complex disease cannot be excluded. Close correlation is noted between the histologic severity of the lesion and the degree of azotemia.