Patterns of the vasa vasorum network in the uterine arteries of domestic and wild mammals.

The vasa vasorum patterns in the uterine arteries of virgin and multiparous domestic and wild mammals were investigated. In young virgin females the vasa vasorum network was present in the adventitia. The uterine arteries of adult multiparous females showed various degrees of intimal hyperplasia and the adventitial vasa vasorum were piercing the arterial wall. The depth of penetration was related to the degree of intimal hyperplasia, namely, to the thickness ratio between the intima and media. Intimal vascularisation occurred in those arteries in which the hyperplastic intima overpassed the thickness of the media. These capillaries originated from the adventitial vasa vasorum network and were penetrating transmedially.