One technique, two approaches, and results: Thoracic duct cannulation in small laboratory animals

Abstract

Experimental studies in immunology, pharmacology, or hematology require the sampling of the total thoracic duct lymph in awake and unrestrained rats or mice. Several approaches have been described for cannulation of the thoracic duct, but they are characterized by a modest reproducibility and a low lymph flow rate. An improved technique for obtaining thoracic duct lymph is described here, emphasizing the similarities and differences concerning both rats and mice (average weights of 305 and 15 g, respectively). Rats yielded a mean of 55.6 ml/day thoracic duct lymph, while lymph output in mice reached unexpected volumes of 29.3 ml/day. The use of an operating microscope and silicone cannula, and maintenance of mobility of the animals during lymph collection, offer a reliable method for a high and constant output of thoracic duct lymph. Relevant aspects of the murine thoracic duct anatomy are also identified.

Lymphatic Transport and Catabolism of Therapeutic Proteins after Subcutaneous Administration to Rats and Dogs

“…In smaller-sized laboratory animals, the selection of the subcutaneous injection site is important for studying lymphatic contribution. Given the size of a rat, technically it is only feasible to cannulate the thoracic duct at a site just above the cisterna chyli (Ionac, 2003;Kagan et al, 2007;Kaminskas et al, 2009). The lymphatic drainage routes in adult laboratory rats were mapped in detail by Tilney (1971).…”

“…Rats were given 0.5 to 1.0 ml of olive oil by oral gavage 0.5 to 1 h before the surgery to provide enhanced visualization of lymph vessels. The thoracic duct cannulation technique was based on previous reports (Lee and Hashim, 1966;Ionac, 2003) with modifications for continuous lymph collection.…”

Lymphatic Absorption, Metabolism, and Excretion of a Therapeutic Peptide in Dogs and Rats

“…Male Sprague-Dawley rats (;350 g) were surgically prepared ;48 hours before dosing Ionac, 2003;Kagan et al, 2007). The rats were anesthetized in a 5% isoflurane induction chamber with oxygen flow rate at 1 l/min.…”

The microstructure of secondary lymphoid organs that support immune cell trafficking

“…In fact, these cells can be selectively collected in central lymph by cannulating the thoracic duct in rats (Smith and Ford, 1983;Matsuno et al, 1995 (Ionac, 2003).…”