Conclusions
These data highlighted the need to consider the individual variation in and lateral asymmetry of draining LNs when characterizing the regional immunology of the mouse epididymis.
Results
By combined Evans blue labeling and fluorescent labeling, we found that 1) the patterns of epididymal LN drainage are highly heterogeneous between individual mice; 2) the leftside LNs participate in drainage more frequently than the right-side LNs; and 3) epididymal lymphatic drainage bypasses both the paraaortic and renal LNs in some mice. Conclusions: These data highlighted the need to consider the individual variation in and lateral asymmetry of draining LNs when characterizing the regional immunology of the mouse epididymis.