Abstract:Objective: To investigate the histomorphological change in auto-extremity artery following transplantation. Methods: 50 New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into 5 groups(postoperative 1 d, 3 d, 7 d, 14 d, 56 d, n = 10). Femoral artery was harvested and end-to-side anastomosed with carotid in order to build the auto-extremity arterial graft animal model. On the postoperative 1st, 3rd, 7th,14th and 56th days, grafts for morphometric analysis under the Image analysis system were obtained; and electron microscope was scanned to observe endothelial cells. In addition, Immunostaining of sections were performed with the mouse monoclonal antibody of the α-smooth muscle isoform of actin and proliferating cell nuclear antigen antibody. Results: Overall patency rate for all conduits was 86%.The intimal hyperplasia was first observed in the 7th day group, and continued to increase in the 56th day group(183.21±111.74)μm, P < 0.01. Additionally, the luminal narrowed(32.43±18.28)% in the 56th day group. Smooth muscle cells were the mainly hyperplastic components. The most active proliferation of cells was detected in the 14th day group, where the extracellular matrix gradually deposited in the intima. Conclusion: Moderate intimal hyperplasia occurred in arterial conduits and vascular structure experienced constrictive remodeling after auto-transplantation.