Figure 3.

Percentage of immature V-stage glomeruli is reduced in the kidneys of preterm neonates. The percentage of glomeruli at each stage of maturity, in the gestational control (white bars) and preterm neonates (black bars), grouped by postconceptional age. Control: ≤28 weeks (n = 9), 29 to 31 weeks (n = 5), ≥32 weeks (n = 9); preterm: ≤28 weeks (n = 8), 29 to 31 weeks (n = 12), ≥32 weeks (n = 6). The percentage of glomeruli at stages V (A), S (B), and C (C) significantly decreased with increasing postconceptional age, whereas the percentage of glomeruli at stages II (E) and III (F) significantly increased. There was no change in the percentage of glomeruli at stage I with increasing postconceptional age (D). A significantly lower percentage of V-stage glomeruli were observed in the preterm kidneys compared with the gestational controls (A). Bars represent mean ± SEM. PA, postconceptional age; PP, prematurity; PAxP, interaction.