Biodiagnostic products

Recticulocytes (immature erythrocytes) are slightly larger than normal red cells, and by using a supravital staining technique basic dyes such as brilliant cresyl blue, are precipitated into a meshwork (called reticulum) within the cell. This meshwork appears deep blue against a relatively unstained background. The reticulum is considered to be remnants of basophilic ribonucleoprotein (normally found in the cytoplasm) and the more mature the cell the less reticulum found.

In the presence of an alkaline cupric sulfate, the protein produces a violet color, the intensity of which is proportional to their concetration.