The effects of (i) the exogenous arachidonic acid (AA), (ii) stable prostaglandin endoperoxide analogue--U46619, and (iii) cyclooxygenase inhibitor--aspirin on the interaction of platelets with a surface coated with fibrillar calf skin collagen were studied using scanning electron microscopy. AA and U46619 stimulate massive spreading of platelets (on the collagen substrate and formation of surface-bound multilayer (thrombi-like) aggregates. The stimulation of spreading and formation of thrombi-like aggregates by AA correlate with the thromboxane A2 (TXA2) synthesis in platelets. Unlike AA, U46619 induces these processes without transformation into TXA2 and stimulation of its synthesis in platelets. Cyclooxygenase inhibitor--aspirin prevents the AA-induced platelet spreading, formation of the surface-bound thrombi-like aggregates, and TXA2 synthesis. In the absence of soluble platelet inducers, aspirin inhibits the substrate-induced spreading, but doesn't affect the initial attachment of nonactivated platelets to the collagen substrate.