Comparison of the blood coagulation profiles of ferrets and rats

J Vet Med Sci. 2011 Jul;73(7):953-6. doi: 10.1292/jvms.10-0489. Epub 2011 Mar 18.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the blood coagulation profiles of ferrets and compare them with those of rats. The ferret activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) was slightly longer than the rat aPTT. In contrast, the ferret prothrombin time and thrombin time were profoundly shorter than the corresponding rat values. The fibrinogen level in ferret plasma was 2 times higher than that in rats. Heparin prolonged all blood coagulation times in a concentration-dependent manner in both ferret and rat plasma. A significantly (P<0.01) higher concentration of heparin was required to double the aPTT in ferrets than rats. These blood coagulation data for ferrets will be useful in experimental animal studies.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anticoagulants / pharmacology
  • Blood Coagulation / physiology*
  • Female
  • Ferrets / blood*
  • Fibrinogen / metabolism
  • Heparin / pharmacology
  • Male
  • Partial Thromboplastin Time / veterinary
  • Prothrombin Time / veterinary
  • Rats / blood*
  • Thrombin Time / veterinary

Substances

  • Anticoagulants
  • Fibrinogen
  • Heparin