Why does null hypothesis testing matter for UUO target validation?

Null hypothesis testing in the UUO model enables objective evaluation of whether observed renal changes are due to the intervention or occur by chance, supporting robust target validation and reducing false positives in early discovery.

How does independent variable isolation fit the UUO discovery pipeline?

Isolating the ureter as the independent variable ensures that downstream kidney effects are attributable to obstruction, clarifying mechanistic pathways and supporting confident hypothesis testing in renal research workflows.

What do quantitative dependent variable measurements enable in UUO studies?

Quantitative measurements such as kidney swelling and urine accumulation provide objective endpoints for comparing experimental groups, enabling data-driven assessment of intervention efficacy and mechanistic impact.

Why are replication requirements critical for cross-functional UUO studies?

Replication ensures that observed renal responses are consistent and reproducible across experiments, facilitating reliable data sharing and collaboration between discovery, translational, and preclinical teams.

What statistical analysis capabilities are required before UUO implementation?

Robust statistical analysis is needed to compare control and obstructed groups, assess significance of renal changes, and support decision-making for advancing targets or interventions in the pipeline.

Unilateral Ureteral Obstruction Murine Model: A Surgical Procedure to Obstruct the Urinary Flow from a Kidney in Mouse Models

JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments

Cancer Research

0 views • 2:19 min • April 30th, 2023

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Unilateral ureteral obstruction, or UUO, is a surgical procedure that involves the obstruction of one of the ureters, resulting in the impairment of urine flow from the kidney. To begin, prep an anesthetized male mouse in the supine position. Next, make a surgical incision in the abdominal skin.

Dissect the abdominal muscles and peritoneal membrane from the bladder to the lower-left edge of the ribs to expose the abdominal cavity. Gently displace the intestines to reveal the underlying left ureter.

The ureter is a narrow muscular tube that connects the bladder and the kidney and carries urine from the kidney to the bladder. There are two ureters, one connected to each kidney.

Now, surgically tie up the ureter at two regions, sufficiently apart. Cut the ureter between the two sutures to isolate the bladder from the ureter. Subsequently, place the intestines back into the abdomen and suture the incision.

Allow the mouse to recover. Within days of the procedure, obstruction of the left ureter leads to the accumulation of urine in the left kidney and results in the swelling of the kidney.

To perform the unilateral ureteral obstruction or UUO, make an incision in the skin at the abdomen and cut the muscle and peritoneal membrane. Place a 2.5-milliliter syringe underneath the mouse. Moisten two cotton swabs with PBS. Then, pull the intestines carefully to the side with the tweezers and place the swabs to identify the left ureter.

Use the tweezers to lift the left kidney. Use 4-0 silk to ligate the left ureter in two places approximately 1 centimeter apart. Cut the ureter at the center point of the two ligations and then use 4-0 nylon sutures to close the peritoneal membrane and incision.