IN-UTERO PARTIAL LIVER RESECTION IN THE RABBIT MODEL - A STUDY ON FETAL TISSUE REGENERATION

In this study we developed a model of in vivo intrauterine partial liv er resection in the fetal rabbit to analyze fetal liver regeneration. After intravenous anesthesia, 12 time-dated pregnant, California rabbi ts underwent a midline laparotomy and minimal hysterotomy at 24-25 day s of gestational age. One fetus was exposed from each pregnant doe and the fetal liver was partially resected. Cesarean sections were perfor med 24, 48 and 72 h and 4 days after surgery. Three fetuses operated a t 24 days of gestational age and 3 fetuses operated at 25 days were al ive at retrieval. The fetuses and the sampled livers were weighed at r etrieval and fetal liver weight showed a well-maintained value in all cases. Fetal livers were processed for the common histologic stains. L ymphocytes, polymorphonuclear leukocytes and phagocytes were counted f rom sections obtained in areas close to the edge of resection. Inflamm atory cells showed a peculiar pattern of infiltration at different sta ges of repair, with a constantly increased number of phagocytes peakin g 48 h after resection. Fetal liver seems to present a specific patter n of repair that differs from both the adult liver and other fetal tis sues healing after injury.