LE3 .A278 2006

2006

Toews, Dan

Acadia University

Bachelor of Science

Honours

Biology

Biology

Little information exists on rates of lymph flow through the anuran lymphatic system. The present study aims to continue previous investigations on the speed of lymph movement in the cane toad, Bufo marinus. Lymph hearts, femoral arteries and crural lymph sacs were cannulated with polyethylene tubing. Polystyrene divinyl benzene spheres (microspheres) were injected into the crural lymph sacs of both sexes of the toads and lymph was then collected from the cannulated lymph hearts and blood from the cannulated femoral artery. Data was collected by examining the time interval in which microspheres injected into the lymph sac appeared in the catheters exiting the lymph heart. Both fluids were analyzed for their microsphere content using a hemocytometer. The speed of lymph flow was found to be less than 2.5 min at its fastest, averaging 4±2.5 min, when collection was from the lymph heart on the same side as the injection into the crural lymph sac. Spheres were also shown to be capable of crossing the body, taking 7.5±2.5 min when collection was from the heart opposite the injection site, possibly due to mixing in the pubic lymph sac. Time lost in the catheter was considered, but calculations were inaccurate due to inconsistent lymph heart beating. Spheres injected in the lymph sacs did not appear in the blood, possibly indicating that a better technique for blood analysis be specifically developed. This study contributes to the overall understanding of lymph flow in anurans and will hopefully allow others to continue research in order to further quantify the speed of lymph flow.

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https://scholar.acadiau.ca/islandora/object/theses:491