{"id":1315230,"date":"2021-12-14T12:28:59","date_gmt":"2021-12-14T11:28:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/staging.laboklin.com\/int\/en\/?p=1315230"},"modified":"2025-07-29T11:25:56","modified_gmt":"2025-07-29T09:25:56","slug":"platelets-in-horses","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/laboklin.com\/en\/platelets-in-horses\/","title":{"rendered":"Platelets in horses"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Platelets<\/h2>\n

Platelets, also called thrombocytes, are an important component of blood coagulation. They are anucleate, flat, irregularly round, oval or elongated cells and have light blue cytoplasm, which may contain fine, azurophilic granules.1<\/sup> So-called \u201cpseudopodia\u201d may be visible in activated platelets.
\nPlatelets are formed in the bone marrow. Megakaryocytes differentiate from bipotent megakaryocyte-erythrocyte precursors. By fragmentation, macrothrombocytes (Fig. 1) and platelets are formed.2<\/sup><\/p>\n

Depending on the literature, the average survival time of platelets in the peripheral blood is indicated with 3 \u2013 9 days.1
\n<\/sup>Compared to other mammals, horses have one of the lowest platelet counts.1<\/sup> In the blood smear, 6 \u2013 10 platelets per visual field (1000x magnification with immersion oil) are sufficient for adequate platelet numbers. Depending on the literature, the reference range varies between 90 \u2013 350 G\/l (Laboklin 90 \u2013 300 G\/l).1<\/sup><\/p>\n

Pre-analytics<\/h2>\n

Pre-analytics plays an important role in the reliability of laboratory diagnostic findings. This, however, applies to all haematological parameters, not only to platelets. Improper blood collection, too much pressure or a wrong sequence when filling the tubes can lead to an activation of the platelets. This often leads to smaller or larger clots which can falsify the analysis or even make it impossible. Blood collection is best carried out in stress-free conditions and not after exertion (training). Excessive pressure should be avoided. Concerning the order of the tubes, the serum tube should ideally be filled first and the EDTA tube last. If only EDTA blood is collected, the first drops of blood should be discarded.
\nIn horses, platelet count is quite independent of storage conditions for up to 24 hours after blood collection.3
\n<\/sup>Platelet count must be performed from anticoagulated whole blood. When comparing the anticoagulants K3-ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), lithium heparin (heparin) and sodium citrate (citrate), significant deviations regarding the platelet parameters can be detected in heparin blood.3<\/sup> The use of heparin as an anticoagulant resulted in increased formation of platelet aggregates and, thus, falsely low platelet levels were measured.4<\/sup> EDTA is the most suitable anticoagulant for blood analysis.4<\/sup> However, EDTA-induced pseudothrombocytopenia has also been described in individual cases in horses, leading to increased formation of platelet aggregates.7<\/sup> A reduced number of aggregates can be achieved by measuring quickly within 2 hours after blood collection and by warming the sample to 37 \u00b0C before measurement.8<\/sup><\/p>\n

EDTA is the anticoagulant of choice for determining platelet count. The blood should be analysed within 24 hours and stored cooled, if possible.
\nTip: Place the blood samples in a polystyrene box in your medical practice car to protect them from heat and frost![\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/3″][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t