EVALUATION OF COAGULATION TESTS IN MOUSE PLASMA

The coagulation variables thrombin time (TT), activated partial thromb in time (APTT) and prothrombin time (PT), were investigated in mouse p lasma. TT and APTT clotting times were determined using a KC10 coagula tion analyser and test kits Dia Thrombin (bovine thrombin diluted to a concentration of 2.5 U/l) and Dia Celin-L (rabbit brain cephaloplasti n, activated with complexed Kaolin), respectively. PT was determined w ith IL Test(TM) Hepatocomplex (rabbit brain thromboplastin and calcium ions) using an ACL 200. Furthermore, the test procedures were also us ed to assess the anticoagulant status of mice treated orally with Mela gatran, a thrombin inhibitor. The results showed that the kits could b e used successfully on mouse plasma to measure the effect of a thrombi n inhibitor on haemostasis.