Basic techniques

2. Cell count




Use of the Hemacytometer for the Determination of Cell Numbers (pdf)

Counting cells by the use of a hemacytometer is a convenient and practical method of determining cell numbers in the case that the Coulter counter is out-of-order temporarily. (It is not that bad.)
The hemacytometer consists of two chambers, each of which is divided into nine 1.0 mm squares. A cover glass is supported 0.1 mm over
these squares so that the total volume over each square is 1.0 mm x 0.1 mm or 0.1 mm3, or 10-4 cm3. Since 1 cm3 is approximately
equivalent to 1 ml, the cell concentration per ml will be the average count per square x 104.

Hemacytometer counts are subject to the following sources of error:
  1. Unequal cell distribution in the sample
  2. Improper filling of chambers (too much or too little)
  3. Failure to adopt a convention for counting cells in contact with the boundaries lines or with each other (be consistent)
  4. Statistical error
  • With careful attention to detail, the overall error can be reduced to about 15%. It is assumed that the total volume in the chamber represents a random sample. This will not be a valid assumption unless the suspension consists of individual well-separated cells.
  • Cell distribution in the hemacytometer chamber depends on the particle number, not particle mass. Thus, cell clumps will distribute in the same way as single cells and can distort the result. Unless 90% or more of the cells are free from contact with other cells, the count should be repeated with a new sample. 
  • A sample will not be representative if the cells are allowed to settle before a sample is taken. Always mix the cell suspension thoroughly before sampling.
  • The cell suspension should be diluted so that each such square has between 20 - 50 cells (2-5 x 105 cells/ml). A total of 300 - 400 cells should be counted, since the counting error is approximated by the square root of the total count. 
  • A common convention is to count cells that touch the middle lines (of the triple lines) to the left and top of the square, but do not count cells similarly located to the right and bottom.
Hemacytometer counts do not distinguish between living and dead cells.
A number of stains are useful to make this distinction. Trypan blue among others (Erythrosin B, Nigrosin) can be used: the nuclei of damaged or dead cells take up the stain. If more than 20% of the nuclei are stained, the result is probably significant. Although the trypan stain distinction has been questioned, it is simple and gives a good approximation.

Trypan blu labeling

Materials
  • Clean hemacytometer and cover glass, or cover slips
  • Balanced Salt Solution (BBS) or PBS
  • Trypan blue, 0.4% in BBS (or PBS)
  • Microscope
  • Tubes
  • Hand counter (Colony counter can be used)
  • Cell suspension
Procedure
  1. Dilute 0.2 ml of Trypan blue with 0.8 ml of BBS.
  2. Place cover glass over hemacytometer chamber.
  3. Transfer 0.5 ml of agitated cell suspension to a 15 ml tube and add 0.5 ml of diluted trypan blue.
  4. With a 1ml pipet, fill both chambers of the hemacytometer (without overflow) by capillary action. Cells will settle in the tube and in the pipet by gravity within a few seconds. Work quickly!
  5. Using the microscope with a 10X ocular (and a 10X objective), count the cells in each of 10 squares (1 mm2 each). If over 10% of the cells represent clumps, repeat entire sequence. If fewer than 200 or more than 500 cells are present in the 10 squares, repeat with a more suitable dilution factor.
  6. Calculate the number of cells per ml, and the total number of
  7. cells, in the original culture as follows:
    • Cells/ml = average count per square x 104
    • Total cells = cells per ml X any dilution factor X total volume of cell preparation from which the sample was taken.
    • Repeat count to check reproducibility (+/- 15%).
References
1. Berkson, J., T. B. Magath and M. Hurn (1939). Am. J. Physiol. 128, 309.
2. Sanford. K.K., W.R. Earle, V.J. Evans, H.K. Waltz and J.E. Shannon (1951).
3. Absher, M. in Tissue Culture Methods and Applications, Eds. Kruse, P.F. and
Patterson, M.K., Jr. Academic Press, N.Y., 1973, p.395.
From the Laboratory of Dr. Allan Bradley
Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas