Histochemical Use of Lead Tetraacetate. II. α-Hydroxycarboxylic Acid Localization

Abstract

Lead tetraacetate, reacting in glacial acetic acid, will attack α-hydroxy acids as well as 1,2-glycols to form leucofuchsin-positive aldehyde radicals in contrast to the more limited glycol oxidation of periodic acid. This property of lead tetraacetate suggested that a comparison of tissue sections prepared by both histochemical methods might offer a means of recognizing the sites of α-hydroxycarboxylic linkage in tissues. Sections from organs of 27 human necropsies were prepared in this manner and examined microscopically for staining variations. These examinations indicated that although the α-hydroxycarboxylic linkage might be attacked by lead tetraacetate, it could not be differentially localized in the face of the principal oxidizing action at the 1,2-glycol linkage.