Measurement of capacity of biliary tree in rats

Abstract

A method is described for measuring the capacity of the normal and of the distended biliary tree. The method depends on the use of dyes rapidly excreted in the bile, which are used as marker substances, and is here applied to rats. The use of an alternative suitable dye, or large alterations in the quantity injected, produced in most cases only small changes in the measured capacities. The measured capacity of both the normal and of the distended biliary tree was found to be proportional to the liver weight, and was altered by an expected amount when a lobe of the liver was functionally removed. The measured extra capacity produced by obstruction of the common hepatic duct was similar to that found using another method. The reliability of the method and some probable errors are briefly discussed. It is concluded that measurements made in this manner might be used to examine the biliary tree during short periods of obstruction.