Critique of the "critical mass" hypothesis of the regeneration of liver cells.
The hypothesis that the regulation of liver cell regeneration is triggered by the critical mass of the cells has been examined. However, examination of the steps in the mathematical formulation of this hypothesis as well as the experimental work performed in our laboratory and elsewhere concerning the proliferation and the volume of hepatocytes following partial hepatectomy does not support this hypothesis.
D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D008099:Liver / Q000166:cytology*; D008115:Liver Regeneration; D008938:Mitosis; D008954:Models, Biological; D051381:Rats