Ammoniated Silver Carbonate for the Demonstration of Lysosomes

Abstract
Hortega's ammoniated silver carbonate method was used to demonstrate lysosomes in the central nervous system and kidney of adult rats. Formol-CaCl2, (10%:1%) fixed, frozen sections were impregnated for 10 min in Hortega's solution: 30 ml of 10% AgNO2 and 90 ml of 5% Na2CO3, with concentrated NH4OH added until the precipitate dissolved, then distilled water to make 400 ml. This procedure revealed silver-positive cytoplasmic structures whose form, shape and distribution were similar to that seen by staining adjacent sections for acid phosphatase. A short fixation of 18-24 hr appears to be essential. A useful, nonenzymatic method for the demonstration of lysosomes is thereby available.

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