TitleDevelopment of a technique for quantification of reticulocytes and assessment of erythrocyte regenerative capacity in birds.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2008
AuthorsJohns, JL, Shooshtari, MP, Christopher, MM
JournalAm J Vet Res
Volume69
Issue8
Pagination1067-72
Date Published2008 Aug
ISSN0002-9645
KeywordsAnimals, Bird Diseases, Cell Aggregation, Erythrocyte Count, Erythrocytes, Hawks, Hematologic Tests, Regeneration, Reticulocytes
Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To develop a reticulocyte classification scheme, optimize an avian reticulocyte staining protocol, and compare the percentages of reticulocyte types with polychromatophil percentage in blood samples from birds.

SAMPLE POPULATION: Blood samples from a red-tailed hawk and 31 ill birds.

PROCEDURES: A single blood sample obtained from a red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) was used to optimize the staining protocol. For optimization of the staining protocol, 4 dilutions of whole blood with new methylene blue stain and 4 incubation times were evaluated. From samples submitted for avian CBCs, EDTA-anticoagulated whole blood samples from 31 ill birds were randomly selected and examined to compare polychromatophil and reticulocyte percentages. Reticulocyte staining was performed in all samples by use of a 1:3 (whole blood to new methylene blue) dilution with incubation for 10 minutes at room temperature (approx 22 degrees C); reticulocytes were assessed as a percentage of 1,000 RBCs by 2 independent observers. In Wright-Giemsa-stained blood smears, a polychromatophil percentage was similarly determined.

RESULTS: 4 avian reticulocyte types were defined: ring-form reticulocytes, aggregate reticulocytes, and 2 subcategories of punctate reticulocytes. A reticulocyte-staining protocol was optimized. Interobserver and intraobserver variations in assessment of reticulocyte and polychromatophil percentages were not significant. A strong positive correlation (Spearman coefficient of rank correlation [rho] = 0.978) was identified between the percentage of polychromatophils and the percentage of ring-form reticulocytes.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results indicated that quantification of ring-form reticulocytes provides an accurate assessment of erythrocyte regenerative capacity in birds.

DOI10.2460/ajvr.69.8.1067
Alternate JournalAm J Vet Res
PubMed ID18672972