Reticulocytes

Abstract

A study of the methods for reticulocyte staining in common use showed a great number of different technics giving widely variant results. A simple technic was worked out which gives uniformly good results and significantly higher counts than other methods tested. Normal values for this method are 1.5 per cent with a range of 0.5 to 4.0 per cent. Since the percentage values for both sexes at all ages are the same, while the absolute counts differ markedly, it would seem better to report reticulocyte counts in percentage rather than in absolute numbers. Evidence is presented which suggests that the term "vital" should not be used when referring to the reticulocyte stain. © 1934.