Summary
Hypoprothrombinemic dogs with or without a superimposed hypofibrinogenemia were allowed
to recover spontaneously or under the influence of vitamin K. The hypoprothrombinemic
status was corrected more rapidly in K-treated animals irrespective of the fibrinogenemic
status.
Hypofibrinogenemic dogs, irrespective of supplemental vitamin K, showed a biphasic
rate of recovery. The initial phase was accelerated when vitamin K was administered,
the second phase was not altered by vitamin therapy.
It is suggested that vitamin K influence fibrinogen recovery in a manner analogous
to its influence on prothrombin recovery; namely, “finalization” of precursor protein
and accelerated release of the protein into the circulating fluid compartments.
