title: Notes on clotting in a Burmese python (Python molurus bivittatus).
abstract: Studies of the clotting mechanisms in the plasma of a Burmese python (Python molurus bivittatus) confirm earlier information that both extrinsic and intrinsic pathways of thrombin formation participate in reptilian hemostasis. Plasma fibrinogen was present at a concentration comparable to that in human plasma. Other assays were hampered by the need to use nonreptilian reagents. The activated partial thromboplastin time was shorter than was that of human plasma, thus implying the presence of prothrombin in python plasma; however, this protein could be demonstrated only in trace amounts. Similarly, only small amounts of Hageman factor (factor XII) and antihemophilic factor (factor VIII) were detected, and none of plasma prekallikrein, high-molecular-weight kininogen, and Christmas factor (factor IX). The prothrombin time was slower than that of human plasma. Factor VII was not detected, but both proaccelerin (factor V) and Stuart factor (factor X) were present. Python plasma inhibited bovine thrombin and human plasmin, but it was deficient in fibrinolytic capacity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH.
authors.forename: O D
authors.initials: OD
authors.lastname: Ratnoff
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Rosenberg
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Everson
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Emanuelson
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Tulodziecki
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001777:Blood Coagulation; D001779:Blood Coagulation Factors / Q000032:analysis; D006490:Hemostatics / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D011517:Prothrombin Time; D012911:Snakes / Q000502:physiology*; D013045:Species Specificity
chemical_list: D001779:Blood Coagulation Factors; D006490:Hemostatics; D007202:Indicators and Reagents