In 1973, Darmady et al published a now "classic" article entitled "The Parameters of the Ageing Kidney." In this autopsy study, the authors evaluated kidney tissue samples from 105 individuals, from birth to 101 years, who had died suddenly and in whom known renal disease or hypertension was absent. The main findings included a gradual shrinking of nephron volume beginning after the third or fourth decade of life and preservation of the ratio of glomerular surface area to proximal tubule volume (ratio of about 3:1) throughout the life span.
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