ISSN:
1432-0878
Keywords:
Liver
;
Lampetra
;
Physiological biliary atresia
;
Electron microscopy
;
Histochemistry
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Medicine
Notes:
Summary A morphologic and histochemical study was carried out on the liver of larval and adult lampreys at the optical and electron microscopic level. In the larva the liver is composed of blind ending single cell thick tubules of hepatocytes. The tubular lumina provided with microvilli are morphologically comparable with the canalicular lumens of the higher species of animals. The cytoplasm of the hepatocytes contains numerous inclusions with heterogeneous appearance and crystalline material. The biliary system is composed of numerous bile ductules and ducts. In the adult lamprey, the biliary system has disappeared. The hepatocytes loose their tubular arrangement and the characteristic differentiation of their biliary pole. In contrast to previous reports in the literature the presence of bile pigment in the adult lamprey liver could not be demonstrated with any histochemical technique.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00307681
