Hepatocyte differentiation during early fetal development in the rat.

Rat hepatocyte differentiation between day 12 and 19 of fetal life was studied by electron microscopy. The cytoplasmic structures involved in synthetic and secretory function, i.e., rough endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus, appear to be the first to differentiate, and their development is probably related to the secretion of different kinds of plasma proteins. The cytoplasmic organelles involved in other hepatic functions develop later: lysosomes from day 15, peroxysomes, glycogen rosettes and smooth endoplasmic reticulum still later. However, the morphological differentiation of bile canaliculi begins from day 12.