Laboratory Protocols

• Cryotomy
• Histological Staining Techniques
  • Index
• Histological fixatives
• Peroxidase-anti-peroxidase Technique
• Preparation of tissue section adhesives
• Processing tissues for light microscopy (basics) (PDF 1.1mb)
• Processing tissues for light microscopy (detailed)
• Sample collection guidelines
• Setting up the light microscope
• Specimen preparation for electron microscopy

Histological Staining Techniques

Use a positive control section.

• Dewax sections, rinse in alcohol, rinse in distilled water.
• Treat for 10 minutes in a freshly prepared solution of equal parts of 20% potassium ferricyanide and 2% hydrochloric acid in distilled water.
• Transfer to 1% hydrochloric acid for 10 minutes.
• Wash in running tap water - 3 minutes.
• Rinse in distilled water.
• Counterstain with nuclear fast red - 30 seconds.
• Rinse in distilled water.
• Dehydrate, clear and mount.

Results:

Ferrous salts - blue
Nuclei - red

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