Microdissected Perfused Vessels

In vitro microperfusion was developed in order to study the transport of solutes and water across nephrons (1 ,2 ). The approach was later extended to renal microvessels for the purpose of measuring vasomotion of glomerular arterioles (3 ). The purpose of this chapter is to provide a general description of the use of in vitro microperfusion techniques to study the physiological functions of microvessels. The investigator must create a series of micropipets to be mounted on specialized holders so that they can be concentrically aligned to cannulate, perfuse, and in some cases, collect effluent from the microvessel under study. In vitro perfusion of renal arteriolar segments is generally performed either to quantify the transport of solutes or to examine vasomotion.