Histogenesis of developing human liver in Marathwada region of Maharashtra

Abstract

Pediatric liver transplants accounting for 10–15% of all liver transplants worldwide occur due to congenital defects. The main etiological factors behind liver transplantation are congenital liver defect. The American Liver Foundation published a ‘Pediatric Liver Research Agenda which advocate that a better understanding of embryonic liver development would provide important insights into treatment and preventive strategies for pediatric liver disease. The present study aims to see the detail histogenesis and development of human liver in prenatal period. Microscopic structure of liver at various gestational age groups. The size of hepatic lobule with the help of micrometer scale and eyepiece reticle. Total 40 human fetuses (19 male and 21 female) were procured from Obstetric/Gynaecology department of GMC Aurangabad. Consent was taken from respective parents with approval of Institutional Ethical Committee of GMC Aurangabad. The size of classical liver lobule was measured by using micrometer scale and the eyepiece reticle. After passing through different stages of staining, the slides were prepared from the liver tissue in which haemopoiesis was found abundant at early stages of gestation and decrease as the age of liver advances from 12th to 36th week of gestation. Connective tissue elements increase from 12th week onwards showing thick capsule and thickened trabeculae. Portal tracts start appearing from 18th week of gestation. Kupffer's cell appears at around 22nd week of gestation and thereafter a gradual rising pattern is found up to 34th week of gestation. Portal triad are seen distinct by 22nd week of gestation therefore the hepatic lobule size can be measurable from 22nd week onwards. In our study the size of the hepatic lobule at 22nd week of gestation is 0.715 mm. The size of hepatic lobule then increases gradually up to 36th week of gestation and is 1.244 mm.