reticulocyte

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Immature precursor of the red blood cell in which the remains of the nucleus are visible as a reticulum. Very few are seen in normal blood as they are retained in the marrow until mature, but on remission of anaemia, when there is a high rate of production, reticulocytes appear in the bloodstream (reticulocytosis).

an immature erythrocytethat can synthesize protein, ≈90% being hemoglobin. It retains intracellular organelles, including mitochondria, and histologically stains for the presence of ribosomes. The name derives from the reticulate appearance of the stained cells.

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A stage of erythrocyte maturation, between normoblast (metarubricyte) and mature erythrocyte, showing a basophilic reticulum (residual RNA) under vital staining.

• corrected r. percentage (CRP) — percentage reticulocytes ÷ (hematocrit ÷ normal hematocrit); a measure of reticulocyte numbers adjusted for the degree of anemia.
• r. count — performed on blood mixed with a supravital stain such as new methylene blue or brilliant cresyl blue. An increased count indicates active erythropoiesis.
• r. production index (RPI) — corrects the reticulocyte count, taking into account the presence of anemia and the presence of shift reticulocytes producing a more accurate indicator of red cell production.
• r. response — the release of reticulocytes in response to erythropoietin or administration of specific therapy for anemia, e.g. a deficiency of iron or folic acid. A reticulocyte response does not develop until the anemia is marked in cattle and not at all in horses.
• shift r., stimulated r. — with intense stimulation of erythropoiesis there is premature release of reticulocytes from the bone marrow into peripheral blood. These are larger and contain more reticulum than normal reticulocytes.

n

An immature erythrocyte. Reticulocytes normally account for less than 2% of the circulating erythrocytes.