Int J Biol Med Res. 2012; 3(3): 2221-2223
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Original article
Histogenesis and developmental anatomy of human Foetal Liver in relation with
gestational age
a
b
c
K.Satheesh Naik, S.Lokanadham, V.Subhadradevi
Binucleated Hepatocytes, Kupffer cells, sinusoids
ARTICLE INFO
ABSTRACT
Keywords:
Binucleated Hepatocytes
Kupffer cells
Sinusoids
In the present study liver specimens were collected from formalin fixed 27 aborted foetuses
(12 male, 15 female) between 5weeks to 40 weeks of gestational age. The dissected
specimens were preserved in 10% formalin and subjected to routine histological procedure
for age related histogenesis and developmental anatomy. In the present study we observed
that there was a delay in the appearance of sinusoids and Kupffer cells along with the bile duct
system in the histogenesis of the liver. We observed the aggregation of hepatocytes and early
stage of haemopoiesis at 5-6weeks of gestational age Delay in the histogenesis of the liver cells
leads to histopathological abnormalities which gives knowledge to the clinicians during
clinical procedures.
c
Copyright 2010 BioMedSciDirect Publications IJBMR -ISSN: 0976:6685. All rights reserved.
1.Introduction:
Liver is the largest gland in the human body[1] and it is among
the few internal human organs capable of natural regeneration of
lost tissue as little as 25% of remaining liver can regenerate[2]. It
develops as a ventral outgrowth from the gut endoderm in the
region of the anterior intestinal portal during 3rd week of
gestational age[3,4].Exocrine part of the liver secretes bile and
endocrine part of the liver secretes chemical substances such as
glucose from glycogen and most of the plasma proteins. Many
functions of the body, includes glycogen storage, decomposition of
red blood cells, plasma protein synthesis, detoxification and
haematopoietic function in the foetus carried out by liver. Total
hepatectomy with liver transplantation may be the most difficult
operation ever derived both technically and physiologically.
2. Material and Methods
A Total of 27 formalin Preserved dead embryos and foetuses
with relevant obstetric records available in the department of
Anatomy, S.V.M.C. Tirupathi were utilized for this study. The
foetuses from 5weeks to 40 Weeks of gestational age of both the
sex. Foetuses were preserved by injecting 10% formalin solution
into the pleural, peritoneal and the cranial cavities. Their
extremities were preserved by multiple injecting techniques
* Corresponding Author : Karamthot Satheesh Naik
Lecturer in anatomy
Basaveshwara Medical College
Chitradurga, Karnataka
India - 577 502
Mobile: +91 9964931820
E-mail: [email protected]
c
Copyright 2010 BioMedSciDirect Publications. All rights reserved.
described by[5].By dissection method we collected the liver
specimens from the abdominal cavity. All the specimens were
categorized in to four groups based on gestational age. The
specimens were preserved in 10% formalin subjected to routine
tissue procedure, stained with haematoxylin, periodic acid,
reticulin and vengeison stain.
3. Results
In the present study a total of 27 aborted embryos and
foetuses of different gestational ages of both sexes and normal
abnormal were observed[Table -1]. The prenatal specimens are
categorized in to gestational age groups of 0 12 weeks, 12 24
weeks, 24 36 weeks and more than 36 weeks. One representative
sample of liver tissue from each gestational age group was
processed for routine histological examination.
Table 1: Prenatal liver distribution of specimens
Gestational age
(Weeks)
Male(12)
Female(15)
Total
0 -12
2
2
4
12 24
4
1
5
24 36
3
7
10
>36
3
5
8
27
K.Satheesh Naik et.al / Int J Biol Med Res. 3(3): 2221-2223
2222
Legends
F i g . 5 . 3 ( b ) S e r i a l s e c t i o n o f 6 we e k s s h ow i n g
portahepatis (PH) central vein (CV) sinusoids (SS)
left lobe (LL)
Fig.5.3(b) Histological section of 28 weeks male fetus
Increased reticular fibers (RF) Magnification 10x10
Fig.5.4(b) Histological section of 20 weeks showing
male fetus reticular fibers (RF) Kupffer Cells (KC) Stellate
Cells (SC) magnification 10x10x
Fig.5.4(b) Histological section of 36 weeks female fetus
showing portal canal (PC) Central Vein (CV) Kupffer Cells
(KC) Portal vein (PV) Bile Duct (BD) Hapatic Artery (HA)
Magnification 10x10
Fig.5.5 Histological section of 24 weeks female fetus portal
vein (PV) Bile Duct (BD) Hepatic Artery (HA) Magnification
20x20 x
Fig.5.7 Histological section of 36 weeks female fetus showing
C e n t ra l Ve i n ( C V ) s i n u s o i d s ( S S ) B i N u c l e a te d
Hapatocytes(BNH) Radiating cords of Hepatocytes (RH)
Magnification 40x10x
2223
K.Satheesh Naik et.al / Int J Biol Med Res. 3(3): 2221-2223
4. Discussion
The early stage of haemopoiesis along with sinusoids and
aggregation of hepatocytes was observed in a specimen of 5 6
weeks of gestational age [Figure.5.3b]. According to Bhorgese [6]
the development of haemopoiesis begins at about 6th week of
gestational age. The findings in the present study in agreement
with literature.
Specimen with 20 weeks of gestational age [Figure.5.4] shows
early stage of reticular fibres along with Kupffer cells was
observed. Bradley& Neil [3,7] stated that development of Kupffer
cells and connective tissue cells begin at about 3rd month of
gestational age, we observed that there was delay in the
appearance of Kupffer cells.
[6].
Borghese, E. (1959) the present state of research on WW mice. Acta Anat. 36:
3:185220.
[7].
Neil Kaplowitz, Laurie D. DeLeve (2003) a text book of drug induced liver
disease PP 279.
[8].
Blouin A (1977)Morphometri of liver sinusoidal cells.Wisse E, Knook KL, eds.
Kupffer cells and other liver sinusoidal cells. New York (61).
[9].
Suyun (1983) histogenesis of human liver Acta Anatomica Sinica,
en.cnki.com.cn 02-016.
[10]. Zhang Wenxue;Bao Yuezhao(1993) Morphological Study on the Liver of
Human Fetus;Journal of Henan Normal University (Natural Science) pp :02.
[11]. Bailey's (1958). “The text book of illustrated Histology”4th Edition, pp: 319
336.
[12]. Leeson and Leeson (1970).” The text Book of Histology”, 2nd Edition, pp.319
336.
[13]. P.Eroschenko (2000), “Di Fiore Atlas of Histology with functional Correlation”,
9th Edition, Victor, pp. 219 227.
Gestational age of 24 weeks specimen shows [Figure.5.5]
portal triad with central vein and sinusoids surrounded by
periportal connective tissue were observed. Blouin&Suyan [8,9]
stated that periportal connective tissue surrounding the bile duct
system observed during 8-12weeks of gestationl age. There was
delay in the formation of bile duct system. At 28 weeks of
gestational age specimen shows increased reticular fibres with
Kupffer cells was observed[Figure.5.6].According to Zhang
Wenxue[10] haemopoietic cells were present from 15- 35 weeks
of gestational age. Portal triad, bi nucleated hepatocytes, Kupffer
cells, portal canal, central vein and sinusoids[Figure.5.7b] were
observed at 36 weeks of gestational age[11,12,13].The
haematopoietic function decreased abruptly in35-week-old fetus
[10].Radiating cords of hepatocytes, Kupffer cells along with
central vein were observed in a specimen at >36 weeks of
gestational age[Figure.5.7c].
5. Conclusion
The findings in the present study stating that there was a delay
in the formation of sinusoids and kuffer cells along with the biliary
duct systems. We observed the aggregation of hepatocytes and
early stage of haemopoiesis at 5-6weeks of gestational age which
is in agreement with literature. Delay in the histogenesis and
development of the liver cells and bile duct system leads to
histopathological and developmental abnormalities gives
knowledge to the clinicians during clinical procedures.
Acknowledgement
My sincere thanks to Dr. Sekhar, Professor in anatomy SVIMS
Tirupathi, Dr.J.Vasudeva Reddy, professor in anatomy S.V.M.C
Tirupathi for their efficient guide lines.
6.References
[1].
Williams P.L. Gray's Anatomy (The Anatomical Basis of Medicine and Surgery).
38th Ed., Edinburgh, Churchill Livingstone. 1995;843-849.
[2].
Robbins and Cotran (1999) Pathologic Basis of Diseases in human ;7th edition
pp. 101.
[3].
Bradley (1957). “Early Embryology of chick-liver histology aspects” 4th
edition, pp: 165 212,
[4].
Sadler (2005) text book of Langman's medical embryology-human; 6th edition
pp: 198-201.
[5].
Ajmani (1993) the principles of embalming techniques in autopsied body pp:
131-134.
c Copyright 2010 BioMedSciDirect Publications IJBMR -ISSN: 0976:6685.
All rights reserved.