VON-WILLEBRAND-FACTOR IN PLASMA, PLATELETS, AND SELECTED TISSUES OF FERRETS

By standard laboratory methods the presence and activity of von Willeb rand factor (vWF) was detected and characterized in the ferret (Mustel a putorius furo); vWF in plasma, platelets, and selected tissues (thor acic aorta, cranial vena cava, thoracic portion of caudal vena cava, a nd lung) was documented. Activity, antigenic concentration, plasma mul timeric distribution, and localization within tissues were similar to those features in other species, Two differences were apparent: multim eric distribution of platelet VWF was skewed toward the smaller molecu lar weight multimers, and mucous goblet, but not ciliated, cells of th e bronchial epithelium stained positive for VWF. Larger molecular weig ht multimers were not released subsequent to administration of 1-deami no-8-D-arginine-vasopressin. The ferret may be a useful animal model i n studying the role of VWF in hemostasis, thrombosis, and atherosclero sis, In particular, the role of small molecular weight multimers found in ferret platelets may provide further insight into the roles of pla telet vWF multimeric distribution, platelet adhesion, and thrombosis.