THE HEPATIC AND INTESTINAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE THORACIC DUCT LYMPH

1. In the anaesthetized cat, the liver lymph contributes about 30 per cent of the total thoracic duct lymph volume and approximately 40 per cent of the total thoracic duct protein. The remaining thoracic duct lymph is almost entirely derived from the intestines. 2. In the post-absorptive state, liver lymph contains about 90 per cent of the plasma concentrations of protein, phospholipid and cholesterol, whilst the intestinal lymph contains 50-60 per cent. There is a significant relationship between the concentrations of these substances in the plasma and lymph. 3. During fat absorption no significant change occurs in the liver lymph composition, whereas the intestinal lymph total fatty acid, phospholipid and cholesterol show large increases. During fat absorption an additional pre-albumin lipoprotein component appears in the intestinal lymph.