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The development in the human liver of multiple desoxyribose nucleic acid (DNA) classes and their relationship to the age of the individual

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Summary

Amounts of desoxyribose nucleic acid (DNA) in individual liver nuclei were determined microspectrophotometrically for 37 humans ranging in age from 2 weeks to 90 years. It was found that:

  1. 1.

    Until the age of about 6 the liver contains only diploid (2DNA) nuclei.

  2. 2.

    During the years 6–10 there is evidence of DNA synthesis in some nuclei.

  3. 3.

    During the years 11–14 a definite tetraploid (4DNA) class is established and until the age of about 20 the liver contains diploid and tetraploid nuclei.

  4. 4.

    At about the age of 20 an octaploid (8DNA) class is established and all three DNA classes coexist in the liver until death.

It is concluded that:

  1. 1.

    The growth phase of the human liver at puberty can be explained, at least in part, as growth by the formation of polyploid cells as opposed to growth by mitosis.

  2. 2.

    The data presented are consistent with the hypothesis that the development of polyploidy in mammalian organs is dependent on the anterior pituitary growth hormone.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Department of Cytochemistry, Institute of Pathology, Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio

    Frank J. Swartz

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  1. Frank J. Swartz
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Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Department of Biology, Western Reserve University.

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Swartz, F.J. The development in the human liver of multiple desoxyribose nucleic acid (DNA) classes and their relationship to the age of the individual. Chromosoma 8, 53–72 (1956). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01259493

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01259493

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