Intestinal atresia in fetal dogs produced by localized ligation of mesenteric vessels.

Experimental ileal atresia and stenosis were produced by a localized ligation of the mesenteric vessels in fetuses from 13 pregnant mongrel dogs having gestational ages of 45-55 days. The intestinal infarct in the fetus was characterized by an aseptic coagulation necrosis selectively limited to the mucosa and submucosa, and also by intense hyperemia and minimal cellular reaction in the adjacent tissue. Eleven days after the devascularization, type 2 intestinal atresia, in which there is a long cord between the blunt ends microscopically similar to that seen in humans.