Chacma baboon natural anticoagulants and factor VIII activities.

Non-human primates are useful models of human haemostasis, but distinctions do exist. These differences are essential to identify and quantify to better characterise the Chacma baboon's coagulation system.   The Chacma baboon's factor VIII and natural anticoagulants were characterised and compared to human reference ranges. Parameters were measured using commercial chromogenic and clot-based assays, in 40 Rhesus negative, ABO typed, male and female Chacma baboon platelet poor plasma samples. Free protein S concentration, protein C, protein S and factor VIII activity reference intervals revealed important differences, while antithrombin was similar to humans. Between sexes, reference intervals largely overlapped but were wider for free protein S and protein S activity. Factor VIII activity was 14% lower in group O baboons. This research has quantified some of the coagulation similarities and differences between Chacma baboons and humans.