Nephrectomy Models
Nephrectomy-based models are well-established surgical approaches to induce chronic kidney disease (CKD) through controlled reduction of renal mass. These models are widely used to study disease progression, hemodynamic adaptation, and therapeutic intervention in both mice and rats.
View:
Select One
- Unilateral Nephrectomy (UNx)
- 5/6 Subtotal Nephrectomy (5/6 Nx)
Unilateral Nephrectomy (UNx)
Unilateral nephrectomy involves the surgical removal of one kidney, resulting in an immediate ~50% reduction in renal mass.
This model is typically used to:
- Study compensatory hypertrophy and hyperfiltration in the remaining kidney
- Investigate early-stage renal adaptation mechanisms
- Serve as a sensitizing background when combined with additional insults (e.g., high-fat diet, hypertension models, or genetic modifications)
Key features:
- Mild, stable reduction in renal function
- Low variability and high survival rates
- Minimal fibrosis or progressive CKD when used alone
UNx is particularly useful when the goal is to model early physiological changes rather than overt disease progression.
5/6 Subtotal Nephrectomy (5/6 Nx)
The 5/6 nephrectomy model is a more aggressive surgical approach that removes approximately 83% of total renal mass. This is typically achieved through a two-step procedure:
- Partial ablation of one kidney (via pole resection or arterial ligation)
- Contralateral total nephrectomy
This model is a gold standard for inducing progressive CKD and is widely used in both mice and rats.
Key features:
- Robust and reproducible CKD progression
- Development of glomerular hypertension, proteinuria, and tubulointerstitial fibrosis
- Progressive decline in renal function over time
- Suitable for evaluating anti-fibrotic and renoprotective therapies
Compared to UNx, the 5/6 Nx model produces a more clinically relevant disease phenotype, particularly for studies focused on CKD progression and therapeutic intervention.
Choosing the Right Model
The choice between unilateral and 5/6 nephrectomy depends on the specific research objective:
- UNx early adaptation, mild injury, combination models
- 5/6 Nx progressive CKD, fibrosis, efficacy studies
Both procedures can be performed in mice and rats, with protocol optimization to balance surgical consistency, recovery, and study endpoints.
| Mouse | Rat | |
|---|---|---|
| CKD progression: | More variable, strain-dependent | Robust and reproducible |
| Fibrosis severity: | Mild–moderate | Moderate–severe |
| Proteinuria: | Lower, may require optimization | Strong and consistent |
| Surgical complexity: | Higher (technical precision required) | Lower (more reproducible) |
| Genetic tools: | Extensive (KO, KI, humanized) | Limited |
| Sample volume: | Limited | Larger (better for PK/PD) |
| Best use case: | Mechanistic / multi-hit models | Efficacy / translational studies |
Related Resources
How can we help you?
Fill out the form to connect with us: