BASOPHILIC RODS IN THE LIVER CELL CYTOPLASM OF RAT

Abstract

There was no difference due to sex, age, or 24-hr. variation in amount or distr. of the basophilic rods of the liver cell cytoplasm of the rat that appear after feeding with desiccated thyroid. Basophilic rods were demonstrated after acute bleeding, thyroxin epinephrine, nor-epinephrine admns., and after 1 day''s starvation. The normally appearing basophilic inclusions were not influenced by insulin. It was possible to demonstrate an increase in nuclear volume after thyroid, acute bleeding, epinephrine, and nor-epinephrine. This indicates an increased cellular activity. The rods were shown to contain ribosenucleic acid. Their nature is briefly discussed.