Maturity of the myenteric plexus is decreased in the gastroschisis rat model.

Background: Amniotic fluid (AF) and its components, such as fetal urine and meconium, may lead to intestinal alterations in gastroschisis, which cause immaturity of the myenteric plexus and consequent intestinal hypomotility and malabsorption. In this study we identified morphological and histological alterations of the intestine and the myenteric plexus with two different times of exposure to AF.

Methods: The experimental gastroschisis was achieved at two different gestational ages, on day 18.