Abstract
In cardiovascular research small pigs breeds like Göttingen® minipigs (GM) are established animal models, but systematic data about the micromorphology of the GM vasculature at different ages are scarce. The study was aimed at gaining knowledge about the micromorphology of the femoral artery (FA) from German Landrace pigs (DL) and GM during the period of growth over a body weight range of 10-40 kg. FA samples from DL aged two or three months were compared to GM ones, aged 18 or 40 months using transmitted light microscopy. All FA samples showed typical characteristics of muscular arteries. Growth was associated with increased vessel wall thickness. In the GM this resulted in a slight decrease of the luminal diameter (LD), while in the DL pigs, an increase of the LD and smooth muscle cell content (10%) with decreased elastic fiber content (10%) has been detected. In contrast, within the 22 months lasting growth period of the GM, the tunica media content of smooth muscle cells and elastic fibers remained stable. FA maturation strongly depends on the pig breed and age. It can be different from what is described in humans.
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