[Normal values of hemoglobin, hematocrit, blood coagulation factors, and fibrinolysis in New Zealand white rabbits].

PURPOSE

To assess the normal rates of several haematological parameters along with coagulation and fibrinolysis values.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Male white New Zealand rabbits weighting between 1.5 and 2.5 kg. were used in variable amounts for each test (117-102). The following haematological determinations were carried out: haemoglobin, haematocrit, platelet count, and peripheral blood cell morphology. Prothrombin time, kaolin-activated partial thromboplastin time and thrombin time were assessed as well. Fibrinogen, plasminogen, prothrombin, factor V, factor X and factor XIII assays were also performed, along with tests for fibrinolytic activity and assay of fibrin and fibrinogen degradation products. All tests were compared with samples of pooled human and rabbit plasma. A statistical study was carried out including mean, mode, standard deviation, variation coefficient, confidence interval and chi square test plus Kolmogorow-Smirnoff test for normality assessment.

RESULTS

The curves attained after plotting the figures for haematocrit, haemoglobin, platelet count, kaolin-activated partial thromboplastin time, thrombin time and factors II and X approached the normal values (p > 0.05). Asymmetric curves were achieved for fibrinogen, prothrombin time and plasminogen (p < 0.005). Rabbit anti-fibrinogen serum reacted with rabbit plasma and fibrinogen, but failed to react against human samples. No fibrin and/or fibrinogen degradation products were detected and no fibrinolytic activity was observed on fibrin plate assays.

CONCLUSIONS

White New Zealand rabbits have values for haemoglobin, haematocrit and fibrinogen similar to the human ones. On the contrary, factors V, X and XIII, along with plasminogen, are in higher concentration, especially the former. Factor II is present at about half the human concentration. No fibrinolytic activity could be demonstrated with the methods used here.