Ultrastructure of the myocardium in dogs with induced jaundice

Morphological aspects of the myocardium in dogs with experimentally induced jaundice were assessed ultrastructurally. Obstructive jaundice was produced by chronic bile-duct ligation and by choledochocaval anastomosis. The left ventricular myocardium and the papillary muscle were used. Statistical analysis of sarcomere length and of mitochondrial density showed no significant differences between jaundiced and sham-operated dogs. Qualitative evaluation of the mitochondria, the intercalated disc and other sarcoplasmic constituents revealed no damage to the jaundiced dogs.