Thrombelastographic diagnosis of blood coagulation in two freshwater fish species.

Blood coagulation in two freshwater fish species was investigated by thrombelastography. This indicated that the process in fish is similar to that of humans and mammals, involving the same three basic processes, i.e. extrinsic and/or intrinsic thromboplastin generation, the conversion of prothrombin in thrombin and the formation of fibrinogen to fibrin. Calcium is essential for these reactions to occur.