Morphology of haemal nodes in the roe deer (Capreolus capreolus).

The present study was aimed at the determination of the morphology of haemal nodes in the roe deer (Capreolus capreolus). The morphology of haemal nodes located in the abdominal and thoracic cavities of six roe deer (two adult male, two adult female and two foetuses) was studied by gross inspection and histological methods. Oval- and round-shaped haemal nodes with colours varying from pink to dark red were observed particularly between the abdominal aorta and caudal vena cava, and at the beginning of the main branches of the abdominal aorta. These nodes, having connection only with blood vessels, were covered with a thin or thick capsule of connective tissue in the foetus and the adult respectively. Trabeculae were not observed in foetal nodes. In adults, the capsule, trabeculae and, in particular, the sinuses were strongly supported by reticular fibres and cells. The morphology of these nodes displayed similarity to that of other ruminant species.