The Ullrastructure of Platelet Participation in Hemostasis^[*]

Summary

The ultrastructure of platelet aggregation in vivo in response to bleeding brought about by transection of small mesenteric vessels in rats and guinea pigs has been studied. Platelets aggregate, degranulate and separating membranes disappear in parallel with fibrin appearance which is first seen at several loci after 30 seconds of bleeding. About 40 per cent of the electron opaque granules, some of which contain platelet factor 3 have disappeared after one minute of bleeding while the electron lucent granules increase by 70 per cent suggesting that some of them may be empty vesicles. Most of the platelet aggregates of the random type disappear leaving clumped red blood cells entrapped by a network of fibrin fibers which emanate from the remains of platelet aggregates of the rosette type to maintain hemostasis.

^* Supported in part by Research Grant H-06033-06 and H-07282, USPHS Heart Institute, Bethesda, Md.

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