Thoracic duct lymph flow during head-out water immersion in conscious dogs.

Water immersion (WI) increases plasma volume in awake dogs. The contribution of lymph flow to this fluid shift was studied in six splenectomized conscious dogs with a side fistula of the thoracic duct. Lymph flow, hematocrit (Hct), and plasma (CP) and lymph (CL) protein concentration were measured during 60 min in air and 120 min of WI (37 degrees C). Lymph flow in air averaged 0.96 +/- 1.0 (SE) ml/min. Lymph flow tended to decrease immediately in WI and was maintained at a level averaging 0.66 ml/min. CP/CL did not change significantly, whereas Hct fell significantly by 1.51 +/- 0.2% (Hct units) at 40 min of WI. Urine flow increased significantly to a maximum value of 1.5 +/- 0.5 ml/min at 40-60 min of WI compared with a mean value in air of 0.3 +/- 0.1 ml/min. The Hct and urine flow responses indicate that fluid shifted into the intravascular space during WI. Since lymph flow tended to decrease, the fluid shift in WI occurs across the capillary wall and not via lymphatic channels.