A Screening Method for Elevated Copper Deposits in Formalin Fixed Tissues

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Abstract
A simple, reliable, consistent, economical screening method for elevated amounts of copper in formaldehyde fixed tissue is presented. Sections were pretreated with picric acid to remove calcium and formalin pigments, then exposed to hot sulfuric acid to eliminate zinc, iron, and manganese. The sections were treated with gum mastic and immersed in a physical developer consisting of hydroquinone, gum mastic and a very low concentration of silver. They were then treated with sodium thiosulfate and counterstained with nuclear fast red. The procedure gives results comparable to those obtained with the rhodanine technique, without the attendant difficulties.