Fine structure of sinusoids and portal capillaries in the liver of the adult sheep and the newborn lamb

Abstract In adult sheep, the hepatic sinusoids have an endothelial lining with numerous gaps and fenestrae and are surrounded by a complete basal lamina. In newborn lambs, the sinusoids have a relatively thick endothelium with fewer gaps, and the space of Disse contains a partially formed endothelial basal lamina. In both adult sheep and lambs, perisinusoidal cells appear to form a network around the sinusoid. In portal areas, the endothelium of the smaller capillaries is fenestrated, but the larger capillaries have unfenestrated walls and are enmeshed in processes of pericytes. Projections of endothelial cells partially or completely occlude the lumen of some portal capillaries, and of a large majority of sinusoids scattered throughout the lobule.