Animal model of spontaneous neoplasia based on lymph and cells collected from thoracic duct of normal dogs and dogs with malignant lymphoma.

Peripheral blood and thoracic duct lymph from normal dogs and dogs with a leukemic malignant lymphoma were compared for total and differential leukocyte count and lymph flow rate. Except for higher numbers of circulating atypical lymphocytes, the blood leukocyte count as well as the lymph cell count and flow rate were similar in both groups. Lymph cell differential pattersn in lymphoma dogs had higher numbers of lymphoblasts and minor cell types, plasmacytes, monocytes, and reticulum cells, plus degenerating and mitotic cells. There was a five-fold increase in the lymph leukocyte count shortly after irradiation in two lymphomatous dosg. Stained preparations of this lymph showed signs of 100% cell mortality. It was concluded that the thoracic duct lymph is a practical source of normal and cancerous lymphoid cells, and that the lymph and cells collected from dogs with malignant lymphoma are excellent models for certain studies of spontaneous neoplasia.