Factor XIII induced gelation of human fibrinogen in the presence of calcium ions. At the end of this reaction between 95 and 100% of the fibrinogen was incorporated into the gel matrix. The gelation was dramatically enhanced by DTT. Cysteine and beta-mercaptoethanol also enhanced the reaction, but less efficiently. Thrombin activated factor XIII led to shortened gelation time and increased the rate of gelation. The reaction was inhibited by p-chloromercuribenzoate and iodoacetamide. Neither fibrinopeptide A, nor fibrinopeptide B were released during gelation, while quantitative release of FPA by thrombin was demonstrated from preformed gel matrices. SDS-PAGE showed the presence of gamma-dimers and alpha-polymers in the gel matrix. In the clot supernatants gamma-dimers were observed already before the gel point. We also observed that the clotting of fibrinogen by thrombin was perturbed by DTT. Preincubation of fibrinogen with calcium ions prevented this effect of DTT.