Immature platelet fraction and reticulated platelet parameters as potential indicators of bone-marrow-related platelet production in dogs and cats: A scoping review
- 1Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Semnan University, Semnan, Iran
- 2Student Research Committee, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Semnan University, Semnan, Iran
Abstract
Background: Evaluating bone marrow is an invasive and expensive procedure that frequently necessitates sedation or anesthesia in dogs and cats. The immature platelet fraction (IPF(and related immature or reticulated platelet parameters, has been suggested as a non-invasive alternative for assessing megakaryocytic activity. However, a comprehensive assessment of the depth and balance of evidence across the two most prevalent companion animal species has not been conducted previously. Objective: Aim of this scoping review was: (1) to map and classify primary studies that report on IPF or reticulated platelets in the context of thrombopoietic activity or bone-marrow activity in dogs and/or cats, (2) to classify the subjects, assays, reference criteria, clinical information, findings etc; and (3) to highlight principal evidence gaps and identify if the evidence generated is adequate and comparable for the systematic review or for a future meta-analysis. Methods: Following the Population-Concept-Context (PCC) framework and the PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR guidelines, an exhaustive search was conducted in PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, Scopus, and CAB Abstracts. The parameters of immature and reticulated platelets have been examined in relation to bone marrow and platelet status. Records were reviewed to ensure eligibility, and a standard data sheet was used to extract data. Results: Of 35 records identified, 10 met the eligibility criteria. Nine of the ten included studies reported data only in dogs; a single retrospective study reported data in both dogs and cats, and no study addressed cats exclusively. Only one study used a direct bone-marrow reference standard (megakaryocyte cytology); the remainder relied on indirect or clinical classification. Conclusions: Evidence for IPF/reticulated platelets as a bone-marrow marker is considerably more developed in dogs than in cats. Feline data are essentially limited to a single retrospective analyzer study. Given the small number of studies and marked methodological heterogeneity, a full systematic review with meta-analysis is not currently feasible; a scoping review is the appropriate and informative synthesis at this stage.
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BibTeX
@article{ahmadihamedani2026immature,
title = {{Immature platelet fraction and reticulated platelet parameters as potential indicators of bone-marrow-related platelet production in dogs and cats: A scoping review}},
author = {Mahmood Ahmadi-hamedani and Kimia Satari},
journal = {PLOS One},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0358333},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0358333},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Immature platelet fraction and reticulated platelet parameters as potential indicators of bone-marrow-related platelet production in dogs and cats: A scoping review
AU - Mahmood Ahmadi-hamedani
AU - Kimia Satari
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/30
JO - PLOS One
DO - 10.1371/journal.pone.0358333
UR - https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0358333
AB - Background: Evaluating bone marrow is an invasive and expensive procedure that frequently necessitates sedation or anesthesia in dogs and cats. The immature platelet fraction (IPF(and related immature or reticulated platelet parameters, has been suggested as a non-invasive alternative for assessing megakaryocytic activity. However, a comprehensive assessment of the depth and balance of evidence across the two most prevalent companion animal species has not been conducted previously. Objective: Aim of this scoping review was: (1) to map and classify primary studies that report on IPF or reticulated platelets in the context of thrombopoietic activity or bone-marrow activity in dogs and/or cats, (2) to classify the subjects, assays, reference criteria, clinical information, findings etc; and (3) to highlight principal evidence gaps and identify if the evidence generated is adequate and comparable for the systematic review or for a future meta-analysis. Methods: Following the Population-Concept-Context (PCC) framework and the PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR guidelines, an exhaustive search was conducted in PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, Scopus, and CAB Abstracts. The parameters of immature and reticulated platelets have been examined in relation to bone marrow and platelet status. Records were reviewed to ensure eligibility, and a standard data sheet was used to extract data. Results: Of 35 records identified, 10 met the eligibility criteria. Nine of the ten included studies reported data only in dogs; a single retrospective study reported data in both dogs and cats, and no study addressed cats exclusively. Only one study used a direct bone-marrow reference standard (megakaryocyte cytology); the remainder relied on indirect or clinical classification. Conclusions: Evidence for IPF/reticulated platelets as a bone-marrow marker is considerably more developed in dogs than in cats. Feline data are essentially limited to a single retrospective analyzer study. Given the small number of studies and marked methodological heterogeneity, a full systematic review with meta-analysis is not currently feasible; a scoping review is the appropriate and informative synthesis at this stage.
SN - 1932-6203
ER -