Growth-related micromorphological characteristics of the porcine femoral artery

Abstract

Background: 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.

Objective: 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.

Methods: FA samples from DL aged two or three months were compared to GM ones, aged 18 or 40 months using transmitted light microscopy.

Results: 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.

Conclusions: FA maturation strongly depends on the pig breed and age. It can be different from what is described in humans.

Keywords: Maturation; micromorphology; muscular artery type; porcine femoral artery; tunica media.