The aim of this study was to examine the kinetics of neovascularisation of splenic autoimplants into the
abdominal cavity after splenectomy in mice. Sixty-eight female Swiss mice were submitted to splenectomy.
The spleen from each animal was sliced and the slices were implanted into the abdominal cavity. Groups of
animals were killed after 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 15, 21, 28, 42, 56, 70 and 84 d. Fluorescent polystyrene microspheres
were injected via the orbital venous plexus before killing and the splenules were removed 5 min later for
light and electron microscopy. Mesenteric blood vessels were injected with coloured latex to study the origin
of the nutrient vessels. Three days after the implant the microspheres were observed at the periphery and
then migrating to the internal parts of the implant in the subsequent days. The blood supply to the implants
originated from branches of the splenic, short gastric, mesenteric and gastroepiploic arteries. It is concluded
that revascularisation of splenic autografts proceeds centripetally, starting as early as 3 d after implantation.