Kinetics of cell proliferation in the regenerating rat liver after subtotal resection

Between 78 and 82% of the weight of the liver was resected in noninbred male rats. Maximal mitotic activity of the hepatocytes was observed 38–48 h after the operation. Pulse labeling with [3H]-thymidine showed that the G2 period is 6 h and the minimal duration of the S period is also 6 h. During regeneration of the liver after subtotal resection asynchronization of the entry of the hepatocytes into the S period and mitosis and delay of the cells in the G1 and G2 periods were observed. The above-mentioned changes in proliferation of the hepatocytes are the result of a disturbance of intracellular metabolism in response to an extremal functional demand.