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Ornithine decarboxylase activity, nucleic acids and cell turnover in the livers of pregnant rats
Author(s) -
Campbell Rosa M.,
Fell B. F.,
Mackie W. S.
Publication year - 1974
Publication title -
the journal of physiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.802
H-Index - 240
eISSN - 1469-7793
pISSN - 0022-3751
DOI - 10.1113/jphysiol.1974.sp010679
Subject(s) - gestation , pregnancy , medicine , ornithine decarboxylase , rna , endocrinology , mitotic index , nucleic acid , biology , fetus , hyperplasia , mitosis , cell , hepatic stellate cell , andrology , biochemistry , enzyme , genetics , gene , microbiology and biotechnology
1. Comparisons were made between the livers of pregnant and non‐pregnant rats, all of which were fed on a ration of 20 g food per day. 2. In the second half of pregnancy there were marked increases in the weight of the liver and in its total content of protein, RNA and DNA. RNA concentration increased from the 15th day of gestation. 3. Between the 12th and 18th day of pregnancy liver weight, total RNA, totla DNA and mean liver cell nuclear volume increased in parallel at approximately the same rate of 6–10% per day. 4. Ornithine decarboxylase activity was enhanced in pregnancy by the 5th day of gestation and rose to peak activity at the 18th day. 5. The mitotic index of hepatic parenchymal cells was elevated in the first and last stages of pregnancy. The later peak in mitosis was associated with a rapid fall in mean nuclear volume. 6. There was histological evidence of cell turnover in the liver of pregnant rats; enlargement of the liver was associated with both hyperplasia and cell deletion.