OBJECTIVE: To explore the relationship between the properties of compliance and the change of structure of components in anastomosed arteries. METHODS: The arterial pressure and diameter of femoral arteries of dogs were measured in vivo before and after arterial anastomosis in different time intervals to deduce the arterial compliance. The anastomosed arteries were removed and evaluated through light microscopic examination and various staining methods, the relative contents of elastin, collagen and smooth muscles were measured through image analysis system. RESULTS: The compliance of arteries was gradually decreased after anastomosis with peak-time on the 14th day. The content of elastin at different time had no significant difference, while the content of collagen increased gradually, the ratio of them was increased. CONCLUSION: The property of compliance of anastomosed arteries is closely related to the contents of the structural components.