Reticulocyte staining and counting kit

Bright cresyl and methylene blue stains precipitate with RNA (ribonucleic acid), the latter appearing as blue granules sometimes linked by a reticule. Since the RNA of the reticulocytes disappears few days after they get into the blood, their counting will serve to know the number of cells released by bone marrow into blood. The number of reticulocytes is probably the best and easiest indicator of erythropoesis. An increase can be interpreted as a demand for new erythrocytes and proper functioning of the marrow. On the contrary, if the demand decreases or if the marrow does not work properly, the number of reticulocytes decreases.