Introduction: Rodents are the best-studying mammalian species in terms of classification and biology (histological structure and physiology). Gerbils, mice, and rats are the favorite mammal species for most studies due to their small size, short lifespan, and rapid reproduction.
Aim of the Work: We tried to demonstrate the kidney histological structure and functions, oxidative stress, and immunohistochemical expression of Gerbillus pyramidum, Mus musculus, and Rattus norvegicus collected from three different habitats.
Materials and Methods: We collected 21 live specimens; 7 of G. pyramidum from the New Valley region, 8 of M. musculus from the Faiyum region, and 6 of R. norvegicus from the Eastern Desert region.
Results: G. pyramidum recorded six significantly increased biochemical parameters which are ALT, AST, cholesterol, triglycerides, sodium, and chloride. Also, M. musculus recorded six significant increase in the values of urea, creatinine, uric acid, alkaline phosphatase, calcium–ionized, and phosphorous. Total protein, potassium, calcium, and magnesium were the four biochemical parameters recorded as significant increase for R. norvegicus. The results confirmed that the New Valley region gerbils, who live in a desert arid area, have kidneys that are more efficient than those that live in Faiyum and Eastern Desert regions. The greater relative medullary thickness 2.83±0.45 was recorded for New Valley gerbils and the lowest one was 2.15±0.50 for Faiyum mice. The average juxtamedullary glomeruli diameter was greater 1.63 times than superficial glomeruli of G. pyramidum, 1.45 times of M. musculus, and 1.29 times of R. norvegicus. The highest values of the kidney GSH, SOD, and CAT were recorded for G. pyramidum, and the minimum values of the kidney GSH, SOD, and CAT were recorded for M. musculus. Weak expression of both anti-apoptotic protein bcl2 and pro-apoptotic protein p53 was observed for rodents' kidney tissues from New Valley and Eastern Desert Regions but the Faiyum mice recorded positive strong immunoreactivity of bcl2 and moderate positive reactivity of p53 for cortex and strong expression for medulla of kidney tissues.
Conclusion: G. pyramidum from the New Valley region has the highest RMT, superficial glomerular number, diameter, volume, RGBV, juxtamedullary glomerular number, and RGBV than other studied rodents.