Morphometric comparison of rabbit cortical connecting tubule and collecting ducts

Abstract

Connecting tubule (CNT) segments of the rabbit distal nephron were examined by scanning microscopy and computer-assisted morphometric analysis of transmission electron micrographs. CNT were very similar to the cortical ducts (CCD) described previously. The epithelium of both segments contains two cell types, both of which can be modelled as simple cuboidal cells, and two distinct systems of extracellular channels. The lateral intercellular channels are comparable to the spaces between simple cuboidal cells but are modified by short projecting microvilli which produce a modest increase in lateral cell surface area. The basal infolded channels are best developed in the connecting tubule cells of CNT and contribute 63% of all channel-associated membranes in CNT. Total membrane areas are similar to CNT and CCD. The two segments differ only in the degree of extracellular channel dilation and the distribution of infolded membrane relative to cell height in the connecting tubule and principal cells. The relatively minor morphometric differences between CNT and CCD do not correlate well with the marked difference in transtubular volume flow induced in the two segments by ADH and an osmotic gradient.