Histochemical Demonstration of Erythrocyte Esterases.

Abstract

A high resolution technique is described for the intracellular localization of erythrocyte esterases. Blood smears are fixed at -15[degree] C in 1% osmium tetroxide dissolved in dimethylformamide. Sites of esterase activity are detected by in-cubating the fixed smears in a medium containing alpha naphthyl acetate as substrate and "hexaazotized" pararosanilin as the azo coupler. The dye product is colored, amorphous and insoluble. Patterns of localiza-tion are described: Increased esterase activity is seen in peripheral blood smears of rabbits during reticulocytosis and in humans with polycythemia vera.