[Ontogeny of the mouse liver studied with hepatocyte membrane antigens and a comparison with alpha-fetoprotein synthesis].

The mouse liver was studied during embryogenesis and postnatal development using indirect immunoperoxidase method with rat monoclonal antibodies to two membrane antigens of the hepatocytes. B10 antigen was first detected in the liver of 16 day old embryos on the hepatocyte membrane in the area of biliary capillary in the center of an acinar structure, thus reflecting the onset of formation of acinar structure in the liver. Formation of the liver beams after birth is accompanied by changes in the pattern of the antigen distribution--it is present on the lateral side of the hepatocyte membrane. D2 antigen is equally distributed over the hepatocyte membrane. When the acinar organization of the liver is replaced by the beam-like structure after birth, the antigen is redistributed--the part of the hepatocyte membrane facing circulatory sinus contains this antigen in a much greater quantity.