Final answer:
Changes in platelets during storage, including effects on post-preparative stability, are influenced by storage conditions like temperature and the number of freeze-thaw cycles. Platelets have a lifespan of around 10 days in circulation before they are removed by the spleen and liver. Their functionality can diminish during storage, potentially reducing their efficacy in coagulation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The changes in platelets during storage are significant because platelets have a short lifespan and are crucial for blood clotting. Platelets remain viable in the blood for about 10 days, and during storage, they can undergo various changes which may affect their functionality.
Factors like long-term storage, short-term temperature stability, and the number of freeze-thaw cycles can influence platelet post-preparative stability. Platelets initially activate upon encountering the exposed collagen from injured cells, which induces clot formation, and these activated platelets assume a shape that aids in plug formation and prevents blood loss.
Stored platelets may lose their functionality due to morphological changes or reduced responsiveness to stimuli. They are typically stored at particular temperatures to preserve their function. The spleen plays a role in storing a portion of the body's platelets for later release in response to a rupture in a blood vessel.
However, as the platelets age or if storage conditions are not optimal, their ability to become activated and carry out their primary function to limit blood loss can be compromised. Eventually, the old and dysfunctional platelets are phagocytized by macrophages, primarily in the spleen and liver.