Acquisition and aggregation of canine blood platelets: basic mechanisms of function and differences because of breed origin.

A method for obtaining reliable blood platelet yields in canine platelet-rich plasma, using increased sodium citrate concentration, is presented. Maintaining a quiet environment or anesthetizing the animals with thiamylal sodium aids in collection of platelets. Aggregation of platelets from 60 dogs of various breeds in response to arachidonic acid, collagen, adenosine diphosphate, epinephrine, and serotonin was monitored. Canine platelets reversibly or irreversibly aggregated to arachidonic acid. The percentage of arachidonate-irreversible platelets varied from 0% to 100% depending upon the breed of dogs examined. Arachidonate-irreversible platelets also aggregated irreversibly at lower concentrations of collagen and exhibited biphasic irreversible aggregation to adenosine diphosphate and serotonin. Serotonin-induced irreversible aggregation was dependent upon receptor activation and upon arachidonic acid metabolism. Irreversible aggregation to serotonin was associated with release of 3H-serotonin and thromboxane B2 formation, indicating that a couple between the serotonergic receptor and arachidonic acid metabolism may exist.