Ultrastructural Studies on Prenatal and Postnatal Liver of Sheep

Abstract

The present study was conducted on liver of prenatal (n=7) and postnatal sheep (n=3) below one year of age to elucidate ultrastructural features during development. Hepatocytes were elongated in shape. The ovoid nucleus was bearing randomly scattered heterochromatin and a distinct slightly eccentric nucleolus. Large numbers of mitochondria were present in the developing hepatocytes with moderately dense cytoplasm containing cytoplasmic organelles and glycogen deposits. Profiles of rough endoplasmic reticulum and free ribosomes were present. Foetal hepatocytes were much smaller with a smaller amount of the cytoplasm in relation to the nucleus as compared to mature hepatocytes. Mitochondria were often observed as most prominent organelle of hepatocytes. Several Golgi areas and lysosomes were evident and were usually located in the vicinity of the bile canaliculi. Peroxisomes were spherical, membrane limited structures. Hepatocyte microvilli projected into the space of Disse, between the sinusoidal endothelium and the hepatocytes. Sinusoids were lined by squamous cells similar to regular endothelium and Kupffer cells which consisted of an ovoid, flat nucleus and a cytoplasm very poor in organelles but rich in microfilaments. Endothelium was devoid of basal lamina but possessed fenestrae.