Rate of Flow and Cell Count of Thoracic Duct Lymph in the Mouse

Abstract

Summary

1. A method is described for obtaining lymph from the abdominal thoracic duct of the anesthetized mouse. 2. Average rate of lymph flow was approximately 0.1 ml/hr, or 5.5 ml/hr/kg B.W. 3. The cell content averaged 11,700/mm³, and the total lymphocyte output averaged 1.10 × 10⁶/hr. 4. There was a significant diurnal variation in lymphocyte output which was greater in the afternoon than in the morning.