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Little is known of the changes occurring in the liver during pregnancy and lactation. The ratios of liver weight and liver protein to body weight are increased in pregnant rats [Bokelmann & Scheringer, 1932], and more of the maternal protein is apportioned to the liver in pregnant rats than in non-pregnant controls [Poo, Lew & Addis, 1939; Poo, Lew, Lee & Addis, 1940]. The total nucleic acid content is considerably raised, both deoxyribonucleic and ribonucleic acids taking part [Davidson & Waymouth, 1944]. There is an increase of the ascorbic acid content of the livers of mice and rats during pregnancy [Kennaway & Kennaway, 1944; Kennaway & Tipler, 1947]. The arginase content of the liver of rats is normal during pregnancy but increased during lactation [Folley & Greenbaum, 1947].
Since during pregnancy and lactation the maternal organism has to provide the material for a very rapid protein synthesis, considerable changes in
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