Reinnervation of regenerating smooth muscle cells in minced vas deferens of the guinea-pig.

In adult guinea-pigs, a portion of the wall of the vas deferens was removed, minced and replaced. This caused muslce cells to dedifferentiate, divide and redifferentiate. Reinnervation of redifferentiating cells was followed using electron microscopy and histochemistry. Adrenergic nerves were first observed to re-enter the regenerating area 5 days after operation, and close contacts (within 20 nm) with muscle cells were first seen at 10 days. The total number of adrenergic nerves per 100 muscle cells reached contol values by 5 weeks, and by 15 weeks was higher than control levels. Cholinergic nerves first appeared in the regenerating area about 3--4 weeks after the operation. The total number of cholinergic nerves present had not reached control values even at 15 weeks, and no nerve muscle contacts within 20 nm were observed. The ratio of adrenergic to cholinergic nerves in the regenerating area was higher at 15 weeks than in control tissue.