Platelet mRNA content decreases with age but differential loss according to function of encoded protein. Younger, older, and total platelets (2.5 million per population) were isolated by fluorescence-activated cell sorting and mRNA extracted for comparative analysis of 25 highly abundant transcripts. (A) Principal component analysis of samples resulted in individual clustering of samples according to age. (B) Loading plot analysis depict unidirectional relationship for principal component 1 (PC1) but differential PC2 relationship. (C) Grouping of measured mRNAs by downstream function and mRNA level (quantification cycle [Cq]) analysis illustrates variable content of individual mRNAs (green) but with universal loss from highest levels in younger (blue) to lowest levels in older (red) platelets. (D) Calculated change (Δ Cq) from younger to older populations reveals differential scales of loss within groupings with mRNAs associated with encoding granule proteins experiencing greatest retention. Data are mean ± SEM (n = 4).