Abstract
At last, the subject is worth more than a few pages in a chapter in a veterinary hematology or laboratory animal book. Mouse Hematology: A Laboratory Manual is what we all have been waiting for (at least those of us who work with mice). It was written by scientists who have spent much time with hematology in mouse experiments and have developed excellent methods for mouse applications. The coauthors are involved in research to determine the molecular mechanisms regulating mammalian hematopoiesis and embryonic development, using mice as model systems at the Mayo Clinic Arizona. Their goal was to produce standards and procedures for the examination of blood and blood-forming tissues of the mouse. They have produced an excellent, practical, and concise manual for mouse hematology. It is user friendly and appears to be aimed at all types of people working with mice, including technicians, any type of scientist, as well as clinical and anatomic pathologists.
The book is organized into the following chapters: “Collection of Peripheral Blood,” “Counting Red Blood Cells, Platelets and Viable Nucleated White Blood Cells,” “Peripheral Blood Films and Cytospin Preps,” “Cell Differential Assessments of Peripheral Blood Films,” “Preparation of Peripheral Blood Films,” “Preparation of Bone Marrow for Microscopic Examination,” and “Cell Differentials of Bone Marrow.” An accompanying DVD shows techniques for obtaining blood from the mouse, preparing a blood film, coverslipping, making cytospin preparations, and other techniques for mouse hematology. A poster shows the morphology of peripheral mouse blood cells in blood smears.
The 11 protocols for performing the techniques seem well described and reasonable for applications in mice, and each presents a section dedicated to materials, method, and troubleshooting. Technical tips provide additional information to the protocols. Some of the additional information is elementary, aimed at scientists or technicians with no or little experience with animals, but it does not detract from all the excellent methods and evaluation procedures described that are appropriate for all. Examples of unsatisfactory results and their consequences are also shown for blood and bone marrow smears. The normal appearance of blood cells and bone marrow cytology is well illustrated, including the variations in normal cytology that can occur. The quality of the images is good to excellent, with cells in all degrees of maturation easily seen in bone marrow smears. Figures not of the highest quality are still useful for the intended purposes, illustrating morphology and lineage maturation.
The videos are well done, clearly demonstrating practical methods to use. The poster nicely shows normal cytology of mouse blood cells. The only negative comments: Barr bodies are shown but not noted as such, and large granular lymphocytes are not illustrated. The text notes normal values for parameters but does not give the newest references on mouse hematology and bone marrow values.
Overall, this is an excellent book, DVD, and poster to aid investigators, pathologists, and others with mouse hematology. I highly recommend it.