Laboratory Protocols

• Cryotomy
• Histological Staining Techniques
• Histological fixatives
• Peroxidase-anti-peroxidase Technique
• Preparation of tissue section adhesives
• Processing tissues for light microscopy (basics)
• Processing tissues for light microscopy (detailed)
• Sample collection guidelines
• Setting up the light microscope
• Specimen preparation for electron microscopy

Histological Staining Techniques

Alcian blue for mucopolysaccharides

• Dewax sections, rinse in alcohol, rinse in water.
• Stain in 1% alcian blue in 3% acetic acid (pH2.5) - 5 minutes.
• Wash in running tap water.
• Rinse in distilled water.
• Counterstain with nuclear fast red - 1 minute.
• Rinse in distilled water.
• Dehydrate, clear and mount.

Results:
Acid mucopolysaccharides - blue.
Nuclei - red.