[Ultrastructural changes in the renal filtration barrier during hibernation of the common dormouse (Eliomys quercinus L.)]. / Changements ultrastructuraux de la barrière de filtration rénale au cours de l'hibernation chez le lérot commun (Eliomys quercinus L.).

We have studied kidney samples of 16 garden dormouses (Eliomys quercinus L.) divided into two groups, 8 hibernating and 8 non-hibernating. Hibernation produces structural modifications in the glomerular ultrafilter: (1) the endothelial pores decrease in number and size; (2) the podocytic food processes increase in number and the slit pores decrease in size; (3) in the basement membrane there are no structural morphological modifications. In short, we could say that the permeability of the glomerular ultrafilter decreases during hibernation. This fact helps to understand the decrease in the rate of urine formation that takes place in the presence of a low body temperature and a metabolic depression.