Mesenteric Lymph Duct Cannulation in a Rat Model to Harvest Lymph Fluid

Protocol

All procedures involving animal models have been reviewed by the local institutional animal care committee and the JoVE veterinary review board.

1. Cannulation of the Mesenteric Lymph Duct

1. Place the animal with its right side facing toward the operator. Perform the surgery with or without the assistance of a surgical microscope as required.
2. Open the top layer of the abdominal muscle wall with a straight 4 cm incision extending from the midline (xiphoid process) to the right flank approximately 2 cm below the ribcage (costal margin) using a sterile scalpel blade (see Figure 1B).
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Results

Figure 1. Photographs of (A) the abdomen shaved in preparation to cannulate the lymph duct, (B) the abdominal muscle wall opened with a straight 4 cm incision extending from the midline to the right flank to access the lymph duct, and (C) the superior mesenteric lymph duct (in yellow circle) perpendicular to the right kidney.

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Materials

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
Sterile saline	Baxter healthcare	AHB 1307	Any brand can be used. Example here is Baxter 100 ml saline bags, box of 50
70 % ethanol in water	Any		Any brand can be used
Chlorhexidine gluconate solution (Microshield 4)	Livingstone International	JJ60243L	Any brand can be used. http:// www.livingstone.com.au/? PG=search_result&CAT=6&search =JJ60243L
Betadine solution	Livingstone International	BU0510	Any brand can be used. http:// www.livingstone.com.au/? PG=search_result&CAT=6&search =BU0510
Ilium Ketamil (Ketamine 100 mg/ ml)	PROVET VICTORIA	KETA I 1	http://www.provet.vom.au
Heparin (35000I.U. in 35 mL	SigmaPharmaceuticals	337220	http://www.sigmaco.com.au
Polyethylene (PE) cannula o.d. 0.96 mm x i.d. 0.58 mm	Microtube extensions	PE8050	Any brand can be used. Example here is PE tubing 0.96 x0.58 mm, 30 m
Polyethylene (PE) cannula o.d. 0.8 mm x i.d. 0.5 mm	Microtube extensions	PE9658	Any brand can be used. Example here is PE tubing 0.8 x0.5 mm, 30 m
Markers	Any		Any brand can be used
Veterinary adhesive	Any		Any brand can be used
23 gauge needles	Livingstone International	DN23GX0.75LV	Any brand can be used. Example here is Livingstone Disposable Needle, Sterile, 23GX0.75inch, 100/BOX. http:// www.livingstone.com.au/? PG=search_result&CAT= 6&search=DN23GX0.75LV
25 gauge needles	Livingstone International	DN25GX1.0LV	Any brand can be used. Example here is Livingstone Disposable Needle, Sterile, 25GX1.0inch, 100/BOX. http:// www.livingstone.com.au/? PG=search_result&CAT=6&search= DN25GX1.0LV
1 ml syringe	Livingstone International	T3SS01TA	Any brand can be used. Example here is Terumo syringe 1 ml Slip Tuberculin 100/Box. http:// www.livingstone.com.au/? PG=search_result&CAT=6&search =T3SS01TA
10 ml syringe	Livingstone International	T3SS10SA	Any brand can be used. Example here is Terumo syringe 10 ml Slip 100/Box. http:// www.livingstone.com.au/? PG=search_result&CAT=6&search =T3SS10SA
Gauze swabs	Livingstone International	GSC075	Any brand can be used and cut to required size. Example here is gauze swabs cotton filled 7.5x7.5 cm, 8 ply. http:// www.livingstone.com.au/? PG=search_result&CAT=6&search =GSC075
Heating pad	Ratek	WT1	Any brand that keeps temperature at 37C can be used. Example here is Ratek warming tray.
Surgical microscope	Zeiss	495005-0014-000	Any brand can be used. Example here is Zeiss Stereomicroscope Stemi 2000-C with Stand S Double Spot and KL 300 LED. https:// www.micro-shop.zeiss.com/? l=en&p=us&f=e&i=10143
1 x Small surgical scissors	Fine Science Tools (FST)	14060-09	Any brand can be used. Example here is FST Fine Scissors, 9 cm with 21 mm cutting edge, sharp, straight. http://www.finescience.ca/ Special-Pages/Products.aspx? ProductId=40&CategoryId=17
2 x Forceps with serrated curved tip	Fine Science Tools (FST)	11001-13	Any brand can be used. Example here is FST 13 cm standard pattern forceps with curved 2.8x1.4 mm tip. http://www.finescience.ca/ Special-Pages/Products.aspx? ProductId=405&CategoryId=32