Ultrastructural changes in the liver following chronic experimental intoxication with benzine and ethyline vapour.

The livers of two groups of rabbits exposed to longer lasting intoxication, one with benzine vapours and the other one with ethyline vapours, were subjected to examination in an electron microscope twice; immediately after the completion of intoxication and then 3 months later. In both groups there were found: dilatation of the perinuclear spaces, a symptom of nucleolus segregation, dilatation of the ergastoplasm, features of cristolysis of mitochondria and the absence of glycogen. These changes were more intensive in the animals intoxicated with ethyline. 3 months after the completion of the process of petrol intoxication the following was observed: persistence of the majority of the changes as well as accumulation of glycogen and hypertrophy of the smooth endoplasmatic reticulum. These changes were more intensified in animals intoxicated with ethyline.