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Thromb Haemost 1988; 60(01): 044-049
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1647632
Original Article
Schattauer GmbH Stuttgart

Morphometric Analysis of Density Subpopulations of Normal Human Platelets

K G Chamberlain
The University of Melbourne Department of Medicine, St. Vincent’s Hospital, Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia
,
M Froebel
The University of Melbourne Department of Medicine, St. Vincent’s Hospital, Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia
,
J Macpherson
The University of Melbourne Department of Medicine, St. Vincent’s Hospital, Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia
,
D G Penington
The University of Melbourne Department of Medicine, St. Vincent’s Hospital, Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Received 30 December 1987

Accepted after revision 30 March 1988

Publication Date:
30 June 2018 (online)

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Summary

Platelets from seven normal subjects were fractionated on continuous Percoll density gradients and low density (LD), intermediate, and high density (HD) platelets were prepared for transmission electron microscopy followed by computerised morphometric analysis. Normal ultrastructural appearance and discoid shape were preserved by incubation of the platelets in nutrient medium at 37 °C immediately before fixation. HD platelet sections had a larger mean cross-sectional area but a lower ratio of the major to the minor axis compared to LD platelet sections. HD platelets contained more alpha granules, dense granules and mitochondria per square micron of section area than LD platelets. The percentage of section area occupied by open canalicular system was greater in the LD platelets while the percentage area occupied by glycogen fields was over ten-fold higher in the HD platelets. The mean cross-sectional areas of individual alpha granules and dense granules increased with density while the opposite trend was found for mitochondria. It is suggested that these ultrastructural differences mainly arise during thrombopoiesis and may indicate some functional specialization among platelets.

Key words

Platelet density - Platelet ultrastructure - Morphometric analysis
 

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