Gaboon viper venom—a comparative study of the coagulant, proteolytic and toxic properties of four commercial dried preparations and freshly collected venom

Abstract

Four commercial preparations of Gaboon viper venom ( Bitis gabonica) were tested for coagulant, anticoagulant and proteolytic activities in vitro and defibrinating and toxic activities in vivo. These activities were compared with those of three preparations collected from our own snakes. The commercial preparations did not possess any coagulant activity in vitro and did not defibrinate anaesthetized rabbits, although the proteolytic activity, toxicity and haemorrhagic activities in vivo were undiminished. Drying of freshly collected venom from our own snakes and storage of this material for 8 weeks at –27, 4, 20 and 50°C did not reduce its coagulant activity but storage of liquid venom for 7 hr at 50°C produced a rapid decline in activity. Because of possible losses in activity which may occur during drying and storage it is suggested that care should be exercised in interpreting results of coagulation tests involving the use of dried venoms prepared under ill-defined conditions.