Blood coagulation factors in the freshwater fish Oreochromis mossambicus

Blood coagulation in Oreochromis mossambicus was evaluated by determination of whole blood clotting times for traumatic and atraumatic blood samples and of intrinsic and extrinsic coagulation factors. Results indicate that this process is similar to mammalian coagulation, although clotting times were much reduced. In addition, species specificity to prothrombin activator was also indicated, which was not affected significantly by increased temperatures.