STAINING METHODS APPLICABLE TO SECTIONS OF OSMIUM-FIXED TISSUE FOR LIGHT MICROSCOPY

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Abstract
Methods are described for staining sections of osmium-fixed, methacrylate- or epoxy resin-embedded tissue 0.5 to 2[mu] thick for light microscopic study. Included are methods for basophilic and eosinophilic components (the H and P stain), the PAS stain with hematoxylin counterstain, the aldehyde fuchsin stain for elastica and a trichrome stain for endocrine cytoplasmic secretory granules. All of these methods depend on treatment of the sections prior to staining with peracetic acid reagent. Sections embedded in methacrylate are optically superior to those embedded in epoxy resin, for the plastic can be removed prior to staining.