EFFECTS ON THE LIVER $33 



In the fasting frog, Kux ('86) found a loss of 68 per cent in the volume of the 

 liver-cells; also the appearance of lipochrome droplets and increased granulation 

 (fatty degeneration?). 



Lahousse ('87) described the changes in the liver-cells of the frog, pigeon 

 and rabbit during digestion and early fasting stages. Stolnikow ('87) also 

 included observations on the changes in the hepatic cells of the frog during 

 starvation. The changes in hepatic fat and water content of dogs, fowls and 

 rabbits were studied by Pfeiffer ('87). Isaew ('87) noted atrophy, fatty and 

 "albuminous" degeneration in the liver-cells of starved dogs. 



Moszeik ('88) observed that in starvation the cytoplasm of the liver-cells 

 in the frog is reduced to a greater extent than the nucleus, with loss of glycogen. 

 The changes are described on refeeding with various diets. Aldehoff ('89) 

 gave weights of the liver in the frog, pigeon and fowl after various periods of 

 inanition. Glycogen may persist in the liver for considerable periods of inani- 

 tion, but is less resistant than that in the muscles. 



Morpurgo ('88, '89, '89a) found that in starved rabbits of various ages the 

 hepatic cells were reduced (in a rabbit 15 days old, after 5 days fasting) from 

 27.5/i to 17.8^ in average diameter. The cell boundaries become indistinct and 

 the cytoplasmic granulation obscures the nucleus. The capillaries may be dis- 

 tended between the atrophic cell-cords. Mitoses are greatly reduced in number 

 in the young rabbit, but are found even abnormally numerous upon ample 

 refeeding. 



In starved pigeons, Morpurgo ('89b) found the hepatic cells reduced to about 

 36 per cent of the normal volume (from 11.34 X 8.54^ to 8.73 X 6.74/u). The 

 nuclei, however, are but slightly reduced in absolute size, therefore greatly 

 increased in relative size. In young rabbits refed 5 or 6 days after starvation 

 for 6-10 days, Morpurgo ('9c) found the liver nearly normal in appearance in 

 structure. The average diameter of the liver-cells in normal controls was 21.0//; 

 in starvation, 15.7/*; and in the refed, 20.4/x. Thus the cells appeared normal in 

 size, although the normal weight of the liver had not yet been recovered. The 

 nuclear diameter averaged 7.42^ in the normal controls; 6.45/x in the starved; 

 and 7.88^1 in the refed rabbits. Mitoses occurred in variable number throughout 

 the liver in the refed animals, though extremely rare in the controls. They 

 seemed more frequent in the vicinity of richly pigmented cells (glandular or 

 connective tissue cells). 



Aducco ('89) studied the effect of light upon the hepatic glycogen in fasting 

 pigeons. Tonninga ('93) noted the changes in nitrogenous substances of the 

 liver and other organs in fasting rats and rabbits. 



Lukianow ('88, '89) investigated the water content of the liver and other 

 organs in fasting pigeons. Lukianow ('92) found that in (total) fasting guinea 

 pigs the liver in the early stages of inanition losses most heavily in weight, 

 decreasing relatively from 3.38 per cent to 3.03 per cent of the body, at an average 

 body loss of 5.53 per cent in weight. Thereafter the loss is relatively less in the 

 liver, which regains a relative weight of 3.36 per cent of the body, at a body 

 loss of 16.18 per cent. At a body loss of 25.17 per cent, the liver forms 3.25 

 per cent of the body; and at body loss of 34.46 per cent it forms 3.54 per cent, 



