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. 1972 Aug;47(254):652-5.
doi: 10.1136/adc.47.254.652.

Cellular development of some human organs before birth

E M Widdowson, D E Crabb, R D Milner

Cellular development of some human organs before birth

E M Widdowson et al. Arch Dis Child. 1972 Aug.

Abstract

The total amount of DNA and the protein/DNA ratio have been measured in the kidneys, heart, liver, and gastrocnemius muscles of 56 human fetuses and newborn infants of 13-42 weeks' gestational age. The total amount of DNA in each organ approximately doubled every week up to the 25th; thereafter the rate of increase was slower. The protein/DNA ratio in each organ increased rapidly in the last 10 weeks of intrauterine life. Before 30 weeks there was some increase in the protein/DNA ratio in the kidneys, heart, and gastrocnemius muscles, but no significant change in the liver. In 5 small-for-dates infants the protein/DNA ratio was normal, whereas the total DNA tended to be low.

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