Liver Function in the Pig

The assessment of function of the isolated perfused liver remains complex. Much of this problem relates to an inability to compare function in vitro with that in vivo, because of a lack of knowledge of hepatic blood flow. This article documents measurement of total hepatic and portal blood flow in vivo in pigs, by means of the dye clearance method. The effects of starvation, glucose administration and anaesthesia are noted. Although these techniques are simple and may be performed in the awake animal, there are wide variations in values which would necessitate individual flow readings being obtained for any comparative study.S. Afr. Med. J., 48, 1197 (1974)