INHIBITION OF MITOSIS IN THE GUINEA PIG THYMUS AFTER LIGATION OF DRAINING EFFERENT LYMPHATICS

Abstract

Ligature of the cervical lymph duct in guinea pigs resulted in marked dilatation of thelymphatics draining the thymus and marked reduction of mitosis in the thymus. A decrease ofabout 50% in the number of mitoses was found in the cortex within one day after ligation and inthe medulla within five days after ligation. The thickness of the cortex also decreased rapidly andmarkedly in direct proportion to the decrease in cortical mitosis. Mitosis in the thymus recoveredwithin 10 days after ligation, presumably after regeneration of lymphatics or collateralization.Thickening of the walls and valves of the efferent lymphatics of the thymus after lymphcongestion was also demonstrated.