Structural changes of a devascularizated colonic graft when its replaces the rat uterine horn

A one centimeter length of the left uterine horn in two groups of Wistar rats (n = 10) was replaced with normal (VAS group) or with denervated and devascularizated (NVAS group) colonic grafts. All animals maintained pregnancy in the right control horns but not in the grafted horns. At 40, 60 and 90 days after surgery, the light microscopic appearance of the autografts was studied. In the VAS group, and with respect to the last period, the number (5.5 +/- 0.7) and height (1.0 +/- 0.1 mm, P < 0.05 ANOVA) of the folds, the intestinal glands height (160.2 +/- 21.2 mu, P < 0.05 ANOVA) and the number of globet cells per gland (26.6 +/- 4.2, P < 0.05 ANOVA) had decreased in relation to the colon control (6.0 +/- 0.7, 1.4 +/- 0.1, 251.7 +/- 31.8, 42.6 +/- 5.2 respectively). A similar intestinal structure to that described above was observed in the anastomosis areas of the NVAS group, and therefore a decreased mucus production was maintained in this areas. No folds or intestinal glands were observed, but a monoestratified cubic epithelial cells type was observed along 63.7 +/- 4.1% of the NVAS colonic graft center. Under this epithelium a connective tissue, like a non-glandular submucosa, was obtained.