Adenosine Diphosphate‐induced Platelet Aggregation in Suspensions of Washed Rabbit Platelets

S ummary A method is described for the preparation of suspensions of washed rabbit platelets which will aggregate upon the addition of low concentrations of ADP that are effective in citrated plasma. This method involves collecting blood into ACD, low pH, removal of calcium, and maintenance of magnesium during the isolation procedure. A protein (albumin) and glucose are included in the washing and suspending solutions. Rabbit platelets prepared in this way retained fibrinogen on their surface. On comparison with rabbit platelets prepared from blood taken into EDTA, the only differences observed were the much greater sensitivity to ADP and a higher calcium content; platelet morphology, nucleotide levels, and conversions of 14 C‐ATP and 14 C‐ADP at the platelet membrane were similar.