Polychromatophilic

Usually refers to the polychromatophilic RBC which is less mature non-nucleated red blood cell with a light basophilic (light blue-purple) color on peripheral smear which is due to the presence of cytoplasmic RNA. Increased numbers may be seen in certain anemias such as hemolytic anemia in which earlier RBCs are being released by the reactive bone marrow in response to the anemia with the earlier release of these less mature RBCs into circulation. Special stain can highlight the RNA molecules in these cells and on the special stain these cell are known as reticulocytes.