Blood Clotting Time and Tissue Mast Cell Number of the Bat (Myotis lucifugus) in Different Physiological States

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The number of mast cells in sections of the duodenum and the clotting time of the blood (at 23 [degree] C) were measured in summer and winter bats upon collection and later in the laboratory after their exposure to 5[degree]C and 23[degree] C, respectively. In nature clotting time of the summer bat is short (7.4'') while that of the dormant winter bat is long (180''). On cooling the summer bat and warming the hibernating animal clotting times are lengthened and shortened, respectively. Duodenal mast cell counts decrease in the latter instance. In the former case there were indications of an increase. It is concluded that a mechanism, in part involving availability of heparin, exists to prevent thrombus formation during dormancy and allow for rapid clotting during activity.

This publication has 3 references indexed in Scilit: