Changes in hepatocyte volume and liver weight in rats in the early phase after partial hepatectomy.

The weight of the liver remaining at various times after 2/3 partial hepatectomy (p.h.) was determined as a percentage of its weight at the time of operation, calculated from the known weight and percentage of liver removed. The percentage change in liver weight was shown to correlate closely to the percentage change in average "mononuclear" hepatocyte cell volume as determined by light microscope morphometry. Average hepatocyte volume remains within 10% of the initial value for the first 14 h after p.h. therefore increasing to 130% of initial volume at 24 h after p.h. Average hepatocyte volume in sham operated animals is reduced to 68% of initial volume by 0.5 h after operation, returning to normal by 24 h after operation. A similar decrease was observed in the average hepatocyte volume of animals starved for 19 h.