PLATELET PRESERVATION. II. PRESERVATION OF CANINE PLATELET CONCENTRATES BY FREEZING IN SOLUTIONS OF GLYCEROL PLASMA*

Abstract

Canine platelet concentrates have been preserved by a modification of the glycerol freezing technique. The optimum concentration of glycerol was 7.5-10%, vol./vol. Gentle, partial removal of glycerol was achieved by addition of hypertonic dextrose or sorbitol to the thawed glycerol treated platelets. The maintenance of a plasmatic milieu was found to be essential for optimum success of the method. The glycerol, dextrose and sorbitol, therefore, were dissolved in autologous platelet-poor plasma. The method of assessing in vivo viability of frozen and thawed, glycerol-treated platelet concentrates was the lifespan of platelet concentrates labeled with C51 before glycerol addition.