Influence of graft innervation on neovascularization of embryonic heart tissue grafted in oculo

Sympathetic innervation has no direct effect on the growth of the microvascular system in fetal rat atrial or ventricular tissue grafted into the host rats' anterior eye chamber. The volume percentage of blood vessels, myocytes, extracellular matrix, and other cells in 14- or 35-days-old innervated grafts is similar to that in noninnervated grafts. Sympathetic innervation has no effect on metabolism and perfusion of the graft.