Development of an ovine efferent mammary lymphatic cannulation model with minimal tissue damage.

Hung‐Hsun Yen ,Stuart Barber,Evan Hallein,Silk Yu Lin,Elizabeth A Washington ,Wayne G Kimpton ,Joanne L Allen

doi:10.1186/s12917-016-0908-0

Abstract

BackgroundTwo mammary lymphatic cannulation models in sheep have been described with minimal use in the past 50 years. The purpose of this study was to investigate a new surgical technique to allow long term monitoring of mammary lymph flow and composition from the mammary glands, with rapid ewe recovery and minimal complications post-surgery.ResultsWe developed a modified methodology for cannulating the efferent mammary lymphatic from the mammary lymph node with minimum tissue damage. Compared to the previous models, our method required only a small incision on the aponeurosis of the external abdominal oblique muscles and thus reduced the difficulties in suturing the aponeurosis. It allowed for lymph collection and assessment for at least one week post-surgery with concurrent milk collection.ConclusionThis method allows for good ewe recovery post-surgery and in vivo sampling of efferent mammary lymph from the mammary lymph nodes in real-time and comparison with milk parameters.

Highlights

Two mammary lymphatic cannulation models in sheep have been described with minimal use in the past 50 years
One method to achieve this is via surgical cannulation of either afferent lymphatic ducts that lead to mammary lymph nodes, called supra-mammary lymph nodes, or from efferent lymphatic ducts that drain lymph from these lymph nodes [1,2,3]
* Correspondence: hyen@unimelb.edu.au; srbarber@unimelb.edu.au Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia efferent lymph from different lymphatic vessels have been described, including the hepatic lymphatic [2], the efferent lymphatic of the mammary lymph nodes [2, 6], the prefemoral lymphatic [10], the popliteal lymphatic draining the lower hind limb [11], the efferent duct of the prescapular lymph nodes [12], intestinal lymphatic draining the small intestine [2, 13], the tracheal trunks draining oro-nasal regions [14, 15], the thoracic duct with thoracotomy [2] and the thoracic duct without thoracotomy [16]. These ovine cannulation models are useful tools in immunological research, with the ability to study in vivo, long-term pathogen and host interplay over time [17]. Lymphatic cannulation models such as the prefemoral model have been broadly applied to many studies, whereas mammary lymphatic cannulation has not, with only a few published reports of its use [1, 3, 18] since the publication by Lascelles and Morris (1961) more than 50 years ago [2] and none following the alternative method by Linzell (1960) [6]

Summary

Introduction

Two mammary lymphatic cannulation models in sheep have been described with minimal use in the past 50 years. A number of lymphatic catheterisation models for accessing pseudo-afferent or Lymphatic cannulation models such as the prefemoral model have been broadly applied to many studies, whereas mammary lymphatic cannulation has not, with only a few published reports of its use [1, 3, 18] since the publication by Lascelles and Morris (1961) more than 50 years ago [2] and none following the alternative method by Linzell (1960) [6]. Yen et al BMC Veterinary Research (2016) 12:285 of the model of Lascelles and Morris (1961) is that the surgical procedures require incising a large portion of the aponeuroses of the external and internal abdominal oblique muscles and rejoining the aponeuroses, which requires advanced surgical skills. Unless the incision is closed correctly, the underlying peritoneum is exposed and the peritoneal contents may herniate.” [2]

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Conclusion