Studies on hemolymph nodes. III. Renal lymph as a major source of erythrocytes in the renal hemolymph node of rats.

The content of erythrocytes in the intrinsic lymphatics of the kidneys of young adult male Swiss-Albino rats was studied by optical and transmission electron microscopy, in material fixed by vascular perfusion. Erythrocytes were consistently found in lymphatics associated with interlobular, arcuate, interlobar and hilar arteries. They are presumed to have entered lymphatics by diapedesis through peritubular capillaries and veins with which they are frequently in intimate contact. The findings confirm the view that, in the rat, the kidney is an important source of the erythrocytes found in the renal hemolymph node.