Laboratory Activity 11: RETICULOCYTE COUNT

Question 1

The (?) is used to estimate the number of polychromatophilic erythrocytes in the blood circulation.

Answer 1

reticulocyte count

Question 2

is used as an index of bone marrow activity and erythropoiesis..

Answer 2

Reticulocyte count

Question 3

It is also used to monitor therapeutic measures of anemia

Answer 3

Reticulocyte count

Question 4

Dry Preparation:
1. Mix equal amounts of filtered stain and (?) in a small test
tube.
2. Incubate mixture at room temperature for (?).
3. After incubation, mix thoroughly and prepare a (?).
4. Allow films to air dry. Counterstain with (?), if desired.
5. Examine smears under the microscope. Switch to (?) and select an area where erythrocytes are close but not overlapping and reticulocytes appear to be well stained.

Answer 4

EDTA-anticoagulated blood or fresh capillary blood

10 􏰂 15 minutes

wedge smear

Wright􏰁s stain

oil immersion objective

Question 5

Appearance of RBCs & reticuloc􏰋tes (without Wright􏰁s as counterstain)
Mature RBCs:
Reticulocytes:

Answer 5

light to medium green without granules
light green with granules that stain deep blue

Question 6

Appearance of RBCs & reticulocytes (with Wright􏰁s as counterstain)
RBCs:
Reticulocytes:

Answer 6

pink without granules

pink with granules that stain deep blue

Question 7

6. Count the number of reticulocytes in (?). Reticulocytes should also be counted as erythrocytes.

Answer 7

1000 red cells

Question 8

7. Calculate as follows: % Reticulocyte =