Generation of reticulated platelets in response to whole blood donation or plateletpheresis.
BACKGROUND
There are few reports about thrombopoietic responses in whole blood (WB) and platelet-pheresis donors. This study compares the thrombopoietic responses of such donors and their platelet values.


METHODS
The effect of WB donation or selective platelet loss (plateletpheresis) was evaluated prospectively. WB and platelet donor samples before donation and for 7 days thereafter were assessed for platelet count, mean platelet volume, and platelet reticulocytes.


RESULTS
Reticulated platelets appeared in the circulation of plateletpheresis donors by 24 hours. The proportion of reticulated platelets was highest on Day 2, and above-normal levels of reticulated platelets persisted until Day 7. The mean platelet volume was high on Days 2 and 3, which corresponded with the appearance of reticulated platelets. After plateletpheresis, platelet counts were higher than could be accounted for by new platelets, which suggested the release of sequestered platelets. WB donors manifested no changes in platelet counts but had a peak of circulating platelet reticulocytes 2 days after the donation.


CONCLUSIONS
The thrombopoietic peak in WB and plateletpheresis donors occurs 2 days after donation, and the response level is related to the amount of platelets lost. The impact of platelet loss on the number of circulating platelets is modulated by the release of platelets from the spleen.
Gyongyossy-Issa
M I
MI
Canadian Blood Services, Vancouver, British Columbia. missa@interchange.ubc.ca
Miranda
J
J
Devine
D V
DV
D052160:Benzothiazoles; D001782:Blood Donors; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D006411:Hematopoiesis, Extramedullary / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D010976:Platelet Count / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D010983:Plateletpheresis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011804:Quinolines; D012015:Reference Standards; D012016:Reference Values; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology; D013844:Thiazoles / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D013997:Time Factors
D052160:Benzothiazoles; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D011804:Quinolines; D013844:Thiazoles; C051000:thiazole orange