Preparation of RC stain:
New Methylene Blue ——– 1.0 gm
Sodium Chloride ————–0.89 gm
Distilled Water —————100 ml
• Take reticulocyte diluting fluid out of the refrigerator and bring it to the room temperature.
• Take two drops of RC diluting fluid in plastic test tube.
• Take two drops of whole blood and put in the same test tube as reagent.
• Incubate the test tube for half an hour in the incubator at 37oc
• After completion of incubation prepare thin smear for examination.

Count Reticulocyte in Oil Immersion in %
Biological ref. value
Adult: 0.5 to 2.5%
Infants & New born: 2.5 to 6 %
Corrected RC=

              Patient's RC  X Patient's HCT
             _________________________________ 
              
              Normal RC   X      Normal HCT                      

Reticulocyte Production Index =

                              CRC X             1
                                        _________________ 
                                         Maturation Time

^HCT^Maturation Time^

RPI >2 Normal Erythropoiesis
RPI <2 Ineffective Erythropoiesis.

High Reticulocyte Count causes-
Hemolytic Anaemias like sickle cell anaemia
Autoimmune hemolytic anaemia.
Regenerative phase of anaemia.

Low Reticulocyte count causes-
Myelofibrosis
Deficiency anaemias
Radiation Sickness
Aplastic anaemia
Cytotoxic drug therapy
Deficiency anaemia.