Volumetric Growth of the Liver in the Human Fetus: An Anatomical, Hydrostatic, and Statistical Study

Abstract

Using anatomical, hydrostatic, and statistical methods, liver volumes were assessed in 69 human fetuses of both sexes aged 18–30 weeks. No sex differences were found. The median of liver volume achieved by hydrostatic measurements increased from 6.57 cm3 at 18–21 weeks through 14.36 cm3 at 22–25 weeks to 20.77 cm3 at 26–30 weeks, according to the following regression: y = −26.95 + 1.74 × age ± Z × (−3.15 + 0.27 × age). The median of liver volume calculated indirectly according to the formula liver volume = 0.55 × liver length × liver transverse diameter × liver sagittal diameter increased from 12.41 cm3 at 18–21 weeks through 28.21 cm3 at 22–25 weeks to 49.69 cm3 at 26–30 weeks. There was a strong relationship (r = 0.91, p < 0.001) between the liver volumes achieved by hydrostatic (x) and indirect (y) methods, expressed by y = −0.05 + 2.16x ± 7.26. The liver volume should be calculated as follows liver volume = 0.26 × liver length × liver transverse diameter × liver sagittal diameter. The age-specific liver volumes are of great relevance in the evaluation of the normal hepatic growth and the early diagnosis of fetal micro- and macrosomias.

Quantitative anatomy of the liver visceral surface in the human fetus

“…According to the professional literature, shrinkage in formalin did not exceed 1% with reference to any linear dimension of the liver. [18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27] Furthermore, the size of the liver in situ was virtually unfettered by formalin solution, since some liver linear dimensions, i.e., height, as well as transverse and sagittal diameters, achieved in the present series, accurately corresponded with those obtained by Chang et al, when measuring in utero fetuses of the same age with the use of 3D-ultrasound. 3 Thirdly, in order to measure the liver parameters, an optimized digital image system (NIS-Elements AR 3.0.; Nikon) was used.…”

“…Fetal age determination was based on the crown-rump length (CRL), known date of the 1 st day of the maternal menstrual period, and the 5 fetal anthropometric measurements (head circumference, bi-parietal diameter, occipitofrontal diameter, abdominal circumference, and femur length) assessed by early 2 nd trimester ultrasound scans. [18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26] As a prerequisite, we excluded fetuses with chromosomal abnormalities or intrauterine growth restriction, as well as from multiple pregnancies, from diabetic mothers and those with severe infections.…”

High resolution, serial imaging of early mouse and human liver bud morphogenesis in three dimensions

“…Further, we found a 7.5 × 10 3 change in volume from E9-E14, which corresponds to a 2.5 × 10 4 –fold change in volume between day 25 and day 56 in humans. This is in contrast to our data at later stages of liver growth which demonstrates an approximate 7.3-fold increase in volume ( Figure 6K ) (Szpinda, Paruszewska-Achtel et al 2015) between day 126 and 210 (18 weeks to 30 weeks). These data are consistent with studies with proliferative capacity that demonstrate embryonic day 14 (E14) fetal rat HEPs (rat F-HEps) are still proliferating after 6 months (or the equivalent of 12 human years) with full rat liver repopulation (Dabeva, Petkov et al 2000).…”

“…The mouse analysis was done with all the multimodality volume estimates (n=59) as well as with the estimated volumes from liver weight data Nomura et al (n=10) (Nomura 1976), Kamei et al (n=20) (Kamei, Tsutsumi et al 1999), and Song et al (n=11) (Song, Luo et al 2008). The human embryo 3D reconstruction volume estimates (n=9) were analyzed together with measured human fetal volumes (n=69) (Szpinda, Paruszewska-Achtel et al 2015) as well as liver weight data (n=861) (Man, Hutchinson et al 2016).…”

Prophylactic Effect of Coenzyme Q10 on Gross Parameters of Rat Testis Exposed to Mosquito Coil Smoke Inhalation

“…The volume of testes was measured in milliliter using formalin displacement method 15 . The weight of the testis was then measured in grams using a digital analytical balance (Sartorius CP 324S), sensitive to weight increment of 0.0001 gram.…”