Investigation and standardization of prothrombin times in chickens

This investigation was undertaken to standardize the determination of the one-stage prothrombin time for use with chickens. Homologous thromboplastin was essential and the most active thromboplastin was obtained from chickens four-weeks old or younger. Acetone-dried brain powder could be stored for at least 4 months at -15 degrees C. without loss of activity. Extraction of brain powder with 0.025 M CaCl2 at 42 degrees C. gave better thromboplastic activity than the standard extraction with physiological saline at room temperature. Thromboplastin solutions could be stored in ice water for only 6 hours without loss of activity. Citrate concentration had to be increased from the usual 0.10 M to 0.18 M to prevent premature clotting of plasma. Plasma donor age had no effect on the prothrombin times. Freezing and thawing as well as storage of plasma in the frozen state increased the prothrombin times. Using the best conditions, the mean prothrombin time for 1200 birds determined over a 6-month period was 9.4 sec. with an individual range of 7.18-11.4 sec. This represents a significantly lower prothrombin time with lower variability than that reported in the literature.