Platelet preservation. II. The response of human platelet suspensions to hypotonic stress

1. Platelet suspensions were exposed to hypotonic stress. Several parameters of the changes in light absorbance were investigated i.a. the initial decrease in absorbance (A min), the maximal rate of the recovery process (V max), and the value of the absorbance two hours after mixing the platelet suspension with the hypotonic solution. 2. The ratio V max/A min appeared to be independent of both platelet concentration and, within a specific range, decrease in osmolarity. 3. Cryoprotectants appeared to disturb the response to hypotonic stress. 4. Cryopreservation caused a decrease in the light absorbance of the platelet suspension, of A min, and of the recovery process.