Study of Drumsticks in the Neutrophils of Females

Study of drumsticks in neutrophils of females.

Introduction
The sex chromatin of polymorphic nuclear neutrophils of human blood contains a specific “drumstick”-like nuclear appendages that has its head about 1.5 mm in diameter attached to the nucleus by a threadlike stalk. The drumstick differs from the sex chromatin of other cells by being extruded from the nucleus. It is visible in only a relatively small portion of cells (in about 1/40 neutrophils of a normal female).

Materials

• Female blood sample
• Slides
• Needles
• Cover slip
• Alcohol
• Cotton
• Leishmann stain
• Microscope

Procedure

1. Clean the fingertip with cotton soaked in alcohol and prick it with a sterilized needle.
2. Place 1 or 2 drops of blood on the right side of the slide.
3. With the help of another clean slide, smear the blood along the slide, such that a tongue-shaped thin-layered smear was formed and air-dried.
4. Fix the dried smear with acetone-free methanol or absolute alcohol for about 5 minutes.
5. Dry and stain the smear with Leishmann stain.
6. Add distilled water, about double the amount of the stain, on the smear.
7. Mix the smear using a pipette for 10–20 minutes.
8. Keep the slide in running water to remove excess stain, and then air-dry.
9. Observe the slide under the microscope using an oil immersion lens.