Quarterly Journal of Microscopical Science, Vol s3-93, 395-412, Copyright © 1952 by Company of Biologists

Phase Contrast and Electron Microscope Studies of the Appearance and Behaviour of the White Cells of Normal Human Blood

¹ Zoology Department, University of Birmingham

1. The phase-contrast microscope has been used to study form and movement of human leucocytes and blood platelets in three types of preparation; (a) warm sealed blood drops, (b) warm sealed films of leucocytes adhering to coverslips after incubation of blood drops at 37° C. for 30 minutes or more, and (c) warm sealed films of blood platelets obtained by similarly incubating drops of saline suspensions of these cells. Similar preparations to (b) and (c) were obtained on formvar films and studied in the electron microscope. Phagocytosis was studied in all the above preparations after adding suspensions of collodion particles or of Staphylococcus albus.

2. The neutrophils were the most versatile cells seen in the above preparations. The amoeboid forms were the most mobile and phagocytic. Another form showed rapidly waving processes which gradually spread into a flat membrane on the glass. lattened immobile neutrophils were still capable of phagocytosis. Bacteria which adhered to the cell surface moved over it towards the thicker central region of the cell where ingestion occurred.

3. Eosinophils showed a mobile amoeboid form and flattened forms which were often very bizarre in shape. They did not phagocytose readily.

4. Monocytes showed slowly moving amoeboid forms or forms with ruffle-like membranes around the cell. They were phagocytic.

5. Lymphocytes were capable of amoeboid movement but did not flatten on glass and were not phagocytic.

6. Blood platelets showed dendritic and flattened forms. Bacteria or collodion particles adhered to the surfaces of the latter and travelled over them, clustering at their thicker centres.