Some characteristics of mouse platelet aggregation and a comparison of the activity of a range of compounds in mouse and human platelet-rich plasma in vitro.

Collegan-induced platelet aggregation in mouse citrated platelet-rich (PRP) was associated with 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) release and degranulation. Adenosine 5'-diphosphate (ADP) induced monophasic and reversible aggregation with no degranulation. Mouse platelets gave no response to adrenaline but changed shape and sometimes aggregated in response to 5-HT. Both amines potentiated the effect of ADP. The respective potencies of prostaglandin E1, papaverine, VK 774, BL 3459 and adenosine as inhibitors of ADP-induced aggregation were similar in mous and human PRP. Although ticlopidine had similar activity in the two species, aspirin and flurbiprofen were considerably less potent in mouse than human PRP as inhibitors of collagen-induced aggregation. It is suggested that collagen-induced aggregation of mouse platelets in vitro occurs by a mechanism largely independent of arachidonic acid metabolites.