抄録
Ductus arteriosus was used to monitor the alteration of vascular smooth muscle cells under hypoxia. Normally closing ductus arteriosus exhibited active intimal smooth muscle cell growth in early fetal life. These intimal smooth muscle cells apparently originated from medial smooth muscle cells. Intimal thickening became more obvious after delivery at which time functional closure occured. Active growth and degeneration of smooth muscle cells, production of collagen and intra- and extra cytoplasmic lipid vacuoles were observed in the completely closed lumen of ductus arteriosus. This process simulated the basic developmental process of atherosclerosis in which hypoxia is an important factor.
