Thoracic Duct Lymph Drainage in the Mouse: A Technique for Producing Lymphocyte-Depleted Animals*

Abstract

A modified method of cannulating the thoracic duct of the mouse is described. Postoperatively,
mice are encircled with a strip of waistband elastic and returned to their cages to drain
lymph. Correlative studies with mice kept on an exercise wheel indicate lymphocyte depletion
does occur when mice are returned to their cage during lymph drainage. Moreover, the mice
survive much better than when restrained, and can be used in experiments as lymphocytedepleted
animals.
Previous reports of tedmiques for thoracic duct cannulation in the rat (1, 2) and mouse
(3-7) emphasized the collection of lymph. This can only be accomplished when the
animal is restrained, which leads to a high postoperative mortality rate. During the
course of experiments requiring lymphocyte-depleted mice, a method has been developed
wherein the thoracic duct is cannulated and the mice are returned to their cages,
where they drain lymph for periods up to 3 days, and can then be used in grafting or
other experiments. A dilferent method of thoracic duct cannulation from the one in
general usage (5-7) is described.