Summary
Objectives: To characterize the cellular composition (platelets, erythrocytes, and leukocytes)
and confirm reproducibility of platelet enrichment, as well as determine the platelet
activation status in the final product of a commercial platelet-rich plasma kit using
canine blood.
Methods: Venous blood from 20 sedated client-owned dogs was used to prepare platelet-rich
plasma (PRP) from a commercial kit. Complete blood counts were performed to determine
erythrocyte, leukocyte, and platelet numbers in both whole blood (WB) and resultant
PRP. The WB and PRP samples from jugular (fast collection) and cephalic (slow collection)
venipuncture were also compared. P-selectin externalization was measured in WB and
PRP samples from 15 of 20 dogs.
Results: This commercial kit produced an average percent recovery in platelets of 64.7 ± 17.4;
erythrocytes of 3.7 ± 0.8, and leukocytes of 31.6 ± 10.0. Neutrophil, monocyte, and
lymphocyte percent recovery was 19.6 ± 7.2, 44.89 ± 19.8, and 57.5 ± 10.6, respectively.
The recovery of platelets from jugular venipuncture (59.7 ± 13.6%) was lower than
from cephalic recovery (68.8 ± 19.1%). The mean percent P-Selectin externalization
for WB, PRP, and PRP with thrombin was 25.5 ± 30.9, 4.5 ± 6.4, and 90.6 ± 4.4 respectively.
Clinical significance: Cellular reproducibility of this kit was confirmed and platelets were concentrated
within autologous serum. Additionally, measurements of P-selectin externalization
showed that platelets are inactive in PRP unless stimulated to degranulate.
Keywords
Platelet-rich plasma - PRP - P-selectin - platelet activation - leukocytes - canine