Low ploidy megakaryocytes in steady-state rat bone marrow
G Tanum and A Engeset
The amount of DNA in individual megakaryocytes (MK) was measured by Feulgen
photometry performed on smears of steady-state rat bone marrow. The MK were
identified by acetylcholinesterase (ACHE) staining. The method described is
particularly suitable in the study of immature MK, hitherto difficult to
examine for DNA content. The main MK ploidies were 8N, 16N, and 32N,
comprising 33.4% +/- 1.4%, 40.8% +/- 1.4%, and 17.9% +/- 1.3%,
respectively, of the total MK numbers. Only 6.7% +/- 1.7% had less than
octoploid DNA content. Very few cells were found belonging to the 64N
class. Among the immature MK, a relatively large fraction was found between
the ploidy levels, indicating a rapid turnover within these ploidy classes.
The demonstration of ACHE activity even in MK with a diploid DNA content
indicates that the flow from the committed progenitors to differentiated MK
occurs at the 2N level.
Volume 62,
Issue 1,
pp. 87-91,
07/01/1983
Copyright © 1983 by The American Society of Hematology
