Reticulocyte count

Abstract

Principle Using a supravital stain (e.g., new methylene blue), residual ribosomal RNA within the reticulocytes is precipitated. An equal volume of stain is added to EDTA-anticoagulated blood, the dilution mixture incubated, and a smear is prepared. The smear is examined to determine the number of reticulocytes present. An erythrocyte containing two or more particles of blue-stained material is a reticulocyte. The number of reticulocytes is expressed as a percentage of the total number of erythrocytes counted. 1