A Comparison of Two Markers of Cell Proliferation in Bone Marrow

Abstract

Mitotic indices were determined for different cell types in myeloid and erythroid populations of canine and human marrow. Dividing cells in all phases were scored in orcein-stained marrow preparations. Specific mitotic indices were obtained from the total mitotic index of the orcein preparation and the differential cell and mitotic counts of marrow smears stained by Wright''s method. Proliferation rates of myeloid and erythroid cells based on mitotic activity were related to rates determined from labeling with tritiated thymidine. There was reasonably good agreement between these two markers of cell proliferation, viz. mitosis and DNA synthesis.