E. C. Mora

Cytochemistry of erythrocytes and leukocytes of the white Leghorn chicken.

Abstract The cytochemistry of chicken blood and bone marrow cells was studied. Some of the changes of the chemical nature of cells which accompany maturation were demonstrated. These included the condensation of deoxyribonucleic acid, the disappearance of ribonucleic acid, and the reduction of polysaccharide and lipid deposits as the cells matured. The activity of most enzymes decreased as the cells reached maturity, but those required for the performance of specific functions by individual cell types were present in moderate amounts in mature cells. For example, leucine aminopeptidase activity was present in cells that could act as phagocytes but absent in erythrocytes. Slight activity of most enzymes was demonstrated in mature leukocytes, while few enzymes were found in erythrocytes. These findings agreed with the systemic functions of the two types of cells. All enzymes studied were found in the cytoplasm of one or more stages of the granulocyte series from marrow, but none appeared to be associated with the specific granules of cells. Discrete localization of enzymes was well demonstrated. Sites containing triphosphopyridine nucleotide diaphorase were restricted to the nuclear membrane of erythrocyte precursors, but they were distributed throughout the cytoplasm of granuloblasts.