The relation of lymph flow to endocrine activity in the guinea pig ovary

Abstract

ONE FIGUREThe relation of the lymphatic flow to functional activity in the guinea pig ovary would seem to shed some light on the part which the lymphatic circulation may play in the transmission of ovarian hormones. This investigation was conducted to determine whether any such correlation exists. On the basis of specific anatomical changes in the lymphatic vessels surrounding follicles and corpora lutea, Anderson ('26) has suggested that the lymphatic vessels of the ovary are concerned with the transport and removal of endocrine secretion.If the lymphatic flow is concerned with the removal of hormones then the rate of flow should be proportional to the activity of the endocrine elements within the ovary. No physiological experiments have been conducted to ascertain the actuality of this supposition. METHODSI n this experiment pregnant and non-pregnant guinea pigs were used and the lymphatics were demonstrated by injecting India ink into the ovaries. Preliminary experiments showed a leash of three to five approximately parallel lymphatic vessels emanating from the ovary. These united at a distance of about 1-2 cm. from the hilum to form one or two larger vessels which extended to the aortic lymph glands in the region of the kidney pelvis.The India ink was filtered through a Whatman 52 filter and diluted with an equal quantity of distilled water. It was then injected into the ovary through the surface opposite the hilum, with a tuberculin syringe and a 17-gauge short bevel needle. The injection was continued untii the ink had reached approximately 1.5 em. from the hilum of the ovary. The ink was then milked along the vessels towards the aortic glands and the time taken for spontaneous refilling of the lymphatic vessels for a distance of 1 em. was recorded. The time was observed only after spontaneous filling, thereby eliminating the effect 217

Steroid concentrations in uterine lymph: possible mediators of uterine and ovarian blood flow during the estrous cycle and early pregnancy in the pig

“…ewes (Morris and Sass, 1966) are greatly developed in size and number when functional CL are present on the ovary. Furthermore, blood flow to and lymph flow from the ovary is highest during the luteal phase of the estrous cycle and lowest after luteal regression in sheep (Lindner et al, 1964;Niswender et al, 1975) and guinea pigs (Culiner, 1944;Hossain et al, 1979). The rate of lymph flow of ovaries containing an active CL and blood flow to the CL were much higher per unit weight of tissue than any other organ studied in the ewe (Lindner et al, 1964;Christenson and Prior, 1978).…”