This study was aimed to investigate the method to cold-store platelets with uridine diphosphate galactose (UDP-Gal). Rabbit heart blood was prepared for concentrated platelet suspension to which UDP-Gal was added, and then stored for ten days in 4 degrees C refrigerator. Thereafter, platelet count, mean platelet volume (MPV), platelet distributing width (PDW), platelet aggregation function, platelet activity to urge coagulation including PF3aT and APCT and apoptosis were determined. Meanwhile, survival time in vivo was tested after cold-stored rabbit platelets labeled with Cr51 were transfused into rabbits. The results showed that there was not significant difference for Plt count, MPV, PDW, PF3aT and APCT between UDP-Gal cold-stored platelet group and fresh platelet group (P > 0.05). On the contrary, platelet count decreased significantly, MPV, PDW jumped and PF3aT and APCT went down in cold control group as compared with fresh platelet group (P < 0.01). Apoptosis increased in UDP-Gal cold-stored platelet group as compared with fresh platelet group (P < 0.05), but was significantly lower than that in cold control group (P < 0.01). Although PagT (inducing reagent: C-PG) decreased, it could still be above 50% of fresh platelet. Survival time in rabbit in vivo was close between UDP-Gal cold-stored platelet group and fresh platelet group (P < 0.05). Survival rate in seventy-two hours after transfusion in the fresh platelet group, UDP-Gal cold-stored platelet group and cold control group was 57.5% +/- 7.2%, 50.3% +/- 6.3% and 0.1% +/- 0.5% respectively. It is concluded that the UDP-Gal can well protect cold-stored rabbit platelets and prolong the survival time of cold-stored platelets in vivo.