Comparison of hematologic values and transforming growth factor-beta and insulin-like growth factor concentrations in platelet concentrates obtained by use of buffy coat and apheresis methods from equine blood.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the buffy coat and apheresis methods for preparation of platelet concentrates from equine blood by comparing platelet and growth factor concentrations.


METHODS
15 mature mixed-breed geldings.


METHODS
Whole blood samples were collected and processed by use of a buffy coat or apheresis method to obtain platelet poor and platelet concentrated fractions. The PCV, WBC count, and platelet count were compared among whole blood samples, platelet poor fractions, concentrates obtained by use of the apheresis method (ie, apheresis platelet concentrates), and concentrates obtained by use of the buffy coat method (ie, buffy coat platelet concentrates). Concentrations of transforming growth factor-beta (ie,TGF-beta1 andTGF-beta2) and insulin-like growth factor were compared between buffy coat and apheresis platelet concentrates.


RESULTS
Platelet concentrations were 8.9-fold and 5.2-fold greater in buffy coat and apheresis platelet concentrates, respectively, compared with whole blood. Platelet concentrations were 13.1-fold greater in filtered apheresis platelet concentrates, compared with whole blood. TGF-beta1 concentrations were 2.8-fold and 3.1-fold greater in buffy coat and apheresis platelet concentrates, respectively, and TGF-beta1 concentrations were 10.5-fold greater in filtered apheresis platelet concentrates, compared with whole blood. TGF-beta2 concentrations were 3.6-fold greater in apheresis platelet concentrates, compared with whole blood. Platelet concentrations correlated with growth factor concentrations across all blood and platelet fractions. White blood cell counts had a significant positive correlation with TGF-beta1 concentration in buffy coat platelet concentrates.


CONCLUSIONS
Platelets and TGF-beta1 can be concentrated reliably from equine blood by use of buffy coat or apheresis methods, without modification of the protocols used for humans.
Department of Clinical Sciences, Comparative Orthopedic Molecular Medicine Research Laboratories, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
W Wesley
WW
Sutter
Andris J
AJ
Kaneps
Alicia L
AL
Bertone
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology*; D006440:Hemofiltration / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D006736:Horses / Q000097:blood*; D007958:Leukocyte Count / Q000662:veterinary; D010976:Platelet Count / Q000662:veterinary; D010983:Plateletpheresis / Q000379:methods*; D013002:Somatomedins / Q000378:metabolism*; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000097:blood*
D013002:Somatomedins; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta