Abstract
Abstract: Appropriate animal experimentation can enhance our understanding of thrombotic and hemorrhagic problems in the human neonate. Which newborn animal species' coagulation system most closely resembles the human neonate is unknown. The objective of the study was to assess the newborn coagulation system in four animal species and compare them with the human neonate. Blood samples were drawn on days 1 and 7 of life from lambs (n = 10), piglets, (n = 12), rabbit pups (n = 12), and beagle pups (n = 7). Coagulation screening tests, specific factor assays, and specific inhibitors of the coagulation system were measured. All factor assays were expressed as a percent of the respective species pooled adult plasma. The results from the animals were compared to normal values from our laboratory for healthy full-term infants. The coagulation systems of all species tested, except the rabbit pup, were immmature at birth with most factor levels being lower than the adult of their species. The coagulation systems were influenced by the postnatal age of the animal and the factor levels reached adult values in fewer days relative to the human. The coagulation system for the piglet most closely approximated the human neonate. The shared characteristics were prolonged screening tests, increased factor VIII:C, generally low levels for the contact and vitamin K-dependent factors, and low anti-thrombin III levels relative to the adult. The beagle pup also showed many similar characteristics but in contrast to the human neonate factor VIII:C and V were low on day 1 of life and prekallikrein was not measurable in the adult or newborn beagle. These data, especially the low anti-thrombin III levels, support the use of the piglet to investigate thrombotic problems in the neonate.
Similar content being viewed by others
Log in or create a free account to read this content
Gain free access to this article, as well as selected content from this journal and more on nature.com
or
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Massicotte, P., Mitchell, L. & Andrew, M. A Comparative Study of Coagulation Systems in Newborn Animals. Pediatr Res 20, 961–965 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198610000-00014
Received:
Accepted:
Issue date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198610000-00014
This article is cited by
-
Antithrombin III (AT) and recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (R-TPA) used singly and in combination versus supportive care for treatment of endotoxin-induced disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) in the neonatal pig
Thrombosis Journal (2006)
-
Haemostasis and antithrombin III in the full-term newborn foal
Comparative Haematology International (1991)
