Comparative cytospectrophotometry of Wright-stained erythroid cells of vertebrates

Visible spectra of erythroid cells stained with Wright's method were studied microphotometrically. Most mature cells of vertebrates have the main peak at 520 nm (A 520) and accessory peaks at 410 nm and 600 nm (A 410 and A 600), respectively. To compare the absorption at 520 nm against 410 nm and 600 nm, the relative absorption spectra were determined and effectively shown as percentage ratios (RAs) to the main peak of A 520. The A 520 shifted to the shorter side of the wavelengths in birds and lower vertebrates. When the RA values of 410 and 600 nm were compared, it was observed that RA 410 of immature cells was less than that of mature cells (15%), and that immature cells of the lower RA 410 type were present in peripheral blood, as well as in bone marrow of vertebrates. Thus, photometric analysis of erythroid cells at RA 410 and RA 600 against A 520 seems to provide useful parameters for comparative studies on vertebrate erythroid cells. Six spectral types can be observed in vertebrate erythroid cells by these parameters.