Standardizing a simpler, more sensitive and accurate tail bleeding assay in mice

Figure 3 Dose-dependent reduction by the anti-platelet drug prasugrel on bleeding parameters. Bleeding time failed to detect dose-effect relation only at two lowest doses (0.015 and 0.05 mg/kg per day, A), whereas bleeding volume was significantly lower vs 5 mg/kg per day starting from 0.15 mg/kg per day (B). Panel C shows the correlation between bleeding time and volume. Note the wide variation of bleeding volume in animals with bleeding time exceeding 20 min (C). The bleeding index was derived as the product of time (min) and volume (mL, D). Parameters of all treated groups were significantly higher than the untreated control. Platelet depletion (PD) group served as a positive control. ^aP < 0.02, ^bP < 0.001 vs 5 mg/kg prasugrel group. A total of 8 groups of mice (n = 6-13) were studied.