Electron microscopic study of the rat liver after its orthotopic and auxiliary syngeneic transplantation

Results of electron microscopic studies on orthotopic and auxiliary syngeneic liver transplants in rats are presented. Examinations were performed about 50 d after both types of liver transplantation. The results obtained in auxiliary transplants in the form of collagenisation within intracellular and Disse's spaces, focal hepatocyte degeneration, the appearance of numerous myelin structures in the form of membranes, and increase in number of microvilli on the hepatocyte surface together with their elongated shape indicate a disadvantageous influence of the host's liver on the transplant. In orthotopically transplanted livers only proliferation of biliary canaliculi and degeneration of hepatocytes at low grade were observed.