Platelet 5-hydroxytryptamine increases with platelet age in dogs.

Thrombocytopenia was induced in mongrel dogs by two mechanisms: immunologically, by intravenous injection of heterologous antiplatelet antibody, and non-immunologically, by circulating the blood through glass beads in anesthetized animals. The platelet content of 5-HT was monitored before and during the recovery of the blood platelet counts. This period is associated with the normalization of the mean platelet survival time and with a progressive increase in the mean age of the circulating platelet population. A continuous increment in platelet 5-HT closely followed the increase in platelet counts in both models of thrombocytopenia, and a strong correlation was found between the platelet age and 5-HT content. These findings support the concept that platelets accumulate 5-HT during their physiological aging process, contradicting the notion that a negative balance in 5-HT content results at the end of their physiological lifespan in circulation. These results are not in conflict with the concept that circulating platelets release and re-uptake 5-HT.