An ultrastructural study of regeneration of minced smooth muscle in the vas deferens of the guinea-pig

Summary Electron microscopic studies were made of the regeneration of minced smooth muscle of the vas deferens of the guinea-pig 3 days to 15 weeks after operation. At 3–5 days the mince contained degenerating smooth muscle cells and dedifferentiating cells showing characteristics of embryonic smooth muscle cells: numerous free ribosomes, well developed rough endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus with few peripherally placed myofilaments associated with dense bodies. During the first two weeks of regeneration, scattered cells surrounded by debris and collagen were separated by a large extra-cellular space. After three weeks, extracellular space was reduced to near normal values. Regenerating cells had a shorter length than normal cells, but during later stages of regeneration they showed an increase in diameter. Muscle effector bundles began to form after 2 to 3 weeks. Initially there were large gaps between the muscle cells, but at later stages of bundle formation, the extracellular space between the muscle cells was much reduced. From 3 weeks, arterioles appeared between the smooth muscle bundles in the regenerating areas. Regeneration of individual smooth muscle cells was complete by 15 weeks after the operation.This work was supported by grants from the Wellcome Trust and the Medical Research Council