Karyometry of nuclei in liver cells. Heterogeneity of nuclear volume and percentage of binucleate cells associated with veins.

In untreated adult male albino rats nuclear volume and the percentage of binucleate cells were determined in the first layer of hepatocytes adjacent to hepatic venous branches of varying diameters (less than 40 microns, 40 microns-80 microns, 80 microns-120 microns, 120 microns-160 microns, greater than 160 microns), and in the third and fourth layer of hepatocytes in the remainder of the perivenous parenchyma. In the first layer of hepatocytes adjacent to the vascular structures means of nuclear volume are significantly lower and percentage of binucleate cells significantly higher than in the cells of the remainder of the perivenous parenchyma. Within each area measured distribution curves of nuclear volume classes were homogeneous but showed heterogeneity in comparison with each other. The morphometric data presented in this study strongly support the opinion of the heterogeneity of liver cells in the perivenous zone, as previously postulated on the basis of histochemical investigations.