THE FINE STRUCTURE OF CLOTS FORMED FROM PURIFIED BOVINE FIBRINOGEN AND THROMBIN: A STUDY WITH THE ELECTRON MICROSCOPE

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Abstract
Clots suitable for study with the electron microscope have been prepared from purified fibrinogen and thrombin of bovine origin by forming a film of the clotting substances on a supporting plastic (Formvar) membrane. The fine structure of clots prepared at various values of pH were studied. The clots were composed of mesh works of single and compound fibers. The avg. diams. of the unit fibers decreased as the pH was changed from 6.3-7.6-8.5. The tendency for lateral association of unit fibers into compound fibers was markedly increased as the pH was decreased. A striking feature of all the clots studied was cross-striation of the unit fibers. The periodicity of these striae was quite constant throughout (approx. 250 A). There was a precise coincidence of the striations of the individual unit fibers where these were associated side by side to form compound fibers.