Budding of Thrombocytes from Megakaryocytes ∗

Abstract

Summary

When marrow aspirations are performed using a syringe flushed with sodium citrate, a false impression is obtained of the amount of budding of thrombocytes from megakaryocytes because many thrombocytes are washed away from the parent cells.

When a dry technic is employed, the results are equally inaccurate because thrombocytes that by chance are in juxtaposition with megakaryocytes may stick to them and appear to be arising from them.

When aspirated marrow samples are used, the best indication of the extent of budding is obtained when a dry technic is used, and examination of the marrow is limited to areas of the film that have definite marrow structure. It is probable that less than twenty-five per cent of megakaryocytes in the normal marrow show true budding at any one time.