A Temporary Stain for Paramecium and Other Ciliate Protozoa

Abstract

A new temporary stain for the demonstration of nuclear and cytoplasmic structures in Paramecium and other protozoan ciliates during both vegetative reproduction and meiotic reorganization consists of a mixture of 10.5 parts of acetocarmine, 4.5 parts of 45% acetic acid, 2 parts of 1 N HCl and 1 part of 1% solution of fast green FCF in 95% alcohol. This stain replaces the acetocarmine and acidified methyl green nuclear stains commonly employed and has the following advantages: (1) it affords simultaneous differential stainability of nucleus and cytoplasm (brown-red and green to grey-green, respectively); (2) it provides differential stainability of newly developing macronuclei (homogeneous pale green), fragments of the old macronucleus (brown-red), and food vacuoles (granular, bright blue-green); and (3) it results in a delicate and more transparent stain which affords greater clarity of internal structure. Proportions may be shifted slightly to achieve the optimum results for any particular organism. Concentrations of the acids employed may be diluted in instances where organisms tend to be easily distorted by fixation.