title: Protocol for Detecting the Primo Vascular System in the Lymph Ducts of Mice.
abstract: The primo vascular system (PVS), which is the proposed conduit for the acupuncture Qi, is a complex network distributed throughout an animal's body. However, even with a microscope, it is not easily detectable because of its transparency. Thus, its existence is largely unknown in current anatomy. A convincing demonstration of its existence is needed. The lymph-primo vessel (PV), which is a subsystem of the PVS, is a very effective visual demonstration of the PVS. The lymph-PVS is a mobile threadlike structure floating in lymph ducts that has been observed in rabbits, rats, and mice by several independent teams. The involved techniques are novel and rather complicated; therefore, we have already provided detailed protocols for the surgery; for the injection of the staining dye; and for the detection, extraction, and identification of the PVS in rabbits and rats. However, the mouse is one of the most important laboratory animals used for various biomedical research purposes. For the convenience of researchers who wish to initiate the PVS experiments in mice, we provide a shortened version of the protocol, despite many similarities with previously published protocols. Thus, researcher can easily obtain the samples of the lymph-PVS of mice.
authors.affiliation: Nano Primo Research Center, Advanced Institute of Convergence Technology, Seoul National University, Suwon, South Korea; Physics Department, Gachon University, Sungnam, South Korea.
authors.forename: Su Youn
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Nano Primo Research Center, Advanced Institute of Convergence Technology, Seoul National University, Suwon, South Korea; Graduate School of Convergence Science and Technology, Seoul National University, Suwon, South Korea.
authors.forename: Sharon Jiyoon
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Jung
authors.affiliation: Nano Primo Research Center, Advanced Institute of Convergence Technology, Seoul National University, Suwon, South Korea. Electronic address: wushu117@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Kyoung-Hee
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Bae
authors.affiliation: Nano Primo Research Center, Advanced Institute of Convergence Technology, Seoul National University, Suwon, South Korea. Electronic address: kssoh1@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Kwang-Sup
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Soh
mesh_terms: D015669:Acupuncture Points; D000423:Alcian Blue / Q000737:chemistry*; D000818:Animals; D042601:Lymphatic Vessels / Q000737:chemistry*; D008297:Male; D016740:Meridians; D051379:Mice; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D011817:Rabbits; D051381:Rats; D013194:Staining and Labeling / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D000423:Alcian Blue
keywords: Alcian blue; lymph; mouse; primo node; primo vascular system; primo vessel