A STUDY OF POTASSIUM-OSMIUM-CYANIDE COMPLEX

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Abstract
Potassium-osmium-cyanide complex (POCC) was substituted for OsO4 procedures for the ultrastructural demonstration of cytochrome oxidase and peroxidase [in rat liver and thyroid] with diaminobenzidine (DAB). POCC reacted with DAB polymer resulting from the oxidation reaction producing electron opaque deposits. POCC produced fine homogeneous staining and more contrast than did the usual osmication method. This suggests a means of making the methods more sensitive. Careful controls are necessary since POCC alone stains smooth membrane elements, thereby possibly obscuring true reaction products in some cases.