AN EVALUATION OF THE RELATIVE AMOUNTS OF BILIRUBIN FORMED IN THE LIVER, SPLEEN AND BONE MARROW

Abstract

The rate of formation of bilirubin, as evidenced by the accumulation of bile pigment in the blood, is constant for several hours following ligation of the common bile duct and extirpation of the gall bladder. Intravenous injection of laked blood greatly accelerates this rate. Splenectomy or hepatectomy or both produce very little change in either the normal or accelerated rate of bile-pigment formation. Since the bone marrow appears to be the only other major site of bilirubin formation, the conclusion is drawn that most of the bile pigment is formed in the bone marrow, and that the liver and spleen are but minor sources of bilirubin.