Mean platelet component as an indicator of platelet activation in foals and adult horses.

Background: Mean platelet component (MPC) is a new platelet variable, measured by modern commercial complete blood count analyzers, that is reduced during platelet activation in humans and small animals.

Hypothesis: MPC decreases in horses with clinical conditions that cause platelet activation and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC).

Animals: We obtained 418 CBCs from 100 sick and 20 healthy neonates and 178 sick and 45 sound adult horses.

Effects of etamsylate on equine platelets: in vitro and in vivo studies.

The aim of this study was to investigate whether etamsylate produces equine platelet activation. In vitro and in vivo studies were designed in which seven and eight adult healthy horses were included, respectively. In the in vitro study, citrated blood was incubated with different concentrations of etamsylate, and P-selectin expression and annexin V binding were determined by flow cytometry.

Assessment of platelet function in horses: ultrastructure, flow cytometry, and perfusion techniques.

We studied equine platelet function and activation using ultrastructural examination, flow cytometry, and perfusion. The main aim of the study was to evaluate hemostatic mechanisms in horses using these techniques. Ultrastructural observations were done on resting and activated platelets.