Changes in the distribution of thymidine- 3H labeled cells in the growing liver acinus of neonatal rats

Abstract

The distribution of labeled cells was studied in radioautograms of neonatal rat liver after thymidine- 3H injection. Labeled parenchymal cells were randomly located within the simple liver acinus of the newborn rat. In the ensuing days after birth, the distribution of labeled cells became nonrandom, in that the majority of cells synthesizing DNA were progressively localized into periportal areas (acinar zone 1). In addition, the acini became wider after birth, although the number of cells across their widest point did not increase. The changes in distribution of labeled cells within the acinus are considered to be the result of the drastic alteration of hepatic blood supply at birth.