Effect of induced chronic intravascular coagulation on plasminogen activator in dogs

Plasminogen activator activity in blood vessels of various organs was determined in three untreated (control) male dogs and in two male dogs that received a continous infusion of canine brain thromboplastic emulsion for 2 weeks. Activator was measured by the speed and degree of lysis of fibrin films that were overlaid with slices of tissue. Depletion of vascular plasminogen activator occurred in the vena cava of treated dogs at the site of the tip of the catheter, which was surrounded by a clot. A decrease of activator was found in most organs and particularly in certain endocrine organs (thyroid, pituitary, and testis). Of organs that normally contained the most activator, the greatest depletion was found in the skin, lung, and penis. The wide variation of plasminogen activator activity in organs of normal dogs is described.