Kinetics of neovascularisation of splenic autotransplants in mice

The aim of this study was to examine the kinetics of neovascularisation of splenic autoimplants into the abdominal cavity after splenectomy in mice. S ixty-eight female Swiss mice were submitted to splenectomy. The spleen from each animal was sliced and the slices were implanted into the abdominal ca vity. Groups of animals were killed after 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 15, 21, 28, 42, 56 , 70 and 84 d. Fluorescent polystyrene microspheres were injected via the o rbital venous plexus before killing and the splenules were removed 5 min la ter for light and electron microscopy. Mesenteric blood vessels were inject ed with coloured latex to study the origin of the nutrient vessels. Three d ays after the implant the microspheres were observed at the periphery and t hen migrating to the internal parts of the implant in the subsequent days. The blood supply to the implants originated from branches of the splenic, s hort gastric, mesenteric and gastroepiploic arteries. It is concluded that revascularisation of splenic autografts proceeds centripetally, starting as early as 3 d after implantation.