Hostname: page-component-76fb5796d-qxdb6 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-04-28T22:05:03.603Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Cell division, cell death and hepatic DNA in relation to liver hypertrophy and regression in breeding ewes

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 March 2009

B. F. Fell  and
Rosa M. Campbell
B. F. Fell
Affiliation:
The Rowett Research Institute, Bucksburn, Aberdeen, AB2 9SB
Rosa M. Campbell
Affiliation:
The Rowett Research Institute, Bucksburn, Aberdeen, AB2 9SB
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Summary

Lactation in ewes is associated with hypertrophy of the liver, due to cell proliferation and enlargement. The mean diameter of hepatic parenchymal cell nuclei increased after parturition to reach a maximum at 6 weeks, after which there was a decline.

The liver regressed in weight after weaning but total DNA declined less than liver weight and remained elevated in comparison with livers of unmated ewes, while DNA concentration increased. Total liver DNA remained relatively high for approximately 6 months. It is suggested that the final fall to control values was associated with cell death and disorganization of the hepatic parenchyma.

These results imply that the life span of one type of liver parenchymal cell may be at least 6 months.

Type
Research Article
Information
The Journal of Agricultural Science , Volume 82 , Issue 2 , April 1974 , pp. 287 - 294
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1974

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Burton, K. (1956). A study of the conditions and mechanism of the Diphenylamine reaction for the colorimetric estimation of Deoxyribonucleic acid. Biochemical Journal 62, 315–23.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Campbell, Rosa M. & Fell, B. F. (1970). Observations on hypertrophy of the liver in breeding ewes. Research in Veterinary Science 11, 540–7.Google Scholar
Cammermeyer, J. (1962). An evaluation of the significance of the ‘dark’ neuron. Ergebnisse der Anatomie und Entwicklungsgeschichte 36, 1–61.Google ScholarPubMed
Fell, B. F., Campbell, Rosa M., Mackie, W. S. & Weekes, T. E. C. (1972). Changes associated with pregnancy and lactation in some extra-reproductive organs of the ewe. Journal of Agricultural Science, Cambridge 79, 397–407.Google Scholar
Kennedy, G. C., Pearce, Winifred M. & Parrott, Delphine, M. V. (1958). Liver growth in the lactating rat. Journal of Endocrinology 17, 158–60.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Kerr, J. F. R. (1971). Shrinkage necrosis: a distinct mode of cellular death. Journal of Pathology 105, 13–20.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
MacDonald, R. A. (1961). ‘Lifespan’ of liver cells. Autoradiographic study using tritiated thymidine in normal, cirrhotic and partially hepatectomized rats. Archives of Internal Medicine 107, 335–43.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Mackie, W. S. & Campbell, Rosa M. (1972). Effects of pregnancy and lactation on the activities of some gluconeogenic and urea-cycle enzymes in sheep liver. Journal of Agricultural Science, Cambridge 79, 423–29.Google Scholar
Majno, G., La Gattuta, M. & Thompson, T. E. (1960). Cellular death and necrosis: chemical, physical and morphologic changes in rat liver. Virchows Archiv für pathologische und für Klinische Medizin Anatomie Physiologie 333, 421–65.Google ScholarPubMed
Munro, H. N. & Fleck, A. (1966). Recent developments in the measurement of nucleic acids in biological materials. Analyst. London 91, 78–88.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Scharrer, E. (1938). On dark and light cells in the brain and in the liver. Anatomical Record 72, 53–62.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Stowell, R. E. (1948). Nucleic acids and cytologic changes in regenerating rat liver. Archives of Pathology 46, 164–78.Google ScholarPubMed