Ultrastructural changes of the liver in spontaneously ketotic cows

The ultrastructure of the liver in normal, mildly ketotic and severely ketotic cows was studied using stereological methods. In the liver of severely ketotic cows there is: (1) a significant increase in the volume fraction of hepatocytes and a decrease in the volume fraction of sinusoids, and (2) an increase in the volume fraction of lipid and smooth endoplasmic reticulum and a decrease in the volume fraction of glycogen and Golgi in parenchyma. A decrease in the profile density of mitochondria per 1 mm2 field and an increase of the volume occupied by mitochondria were not significant nor was the decrease in the volume density of rough endoplasmic reticulum. The degree and duration of negative energy balance obviously affect the morphological changes of the fatty liver. However, additional work is needed to determine the significance of ultrastructural changes in liver function.