A Rapid Silver-on-the-Slide Method for Nervous Tissue

Abstract

A progressive Ag staining method is descr.. which permits microscopic exam, of the sections during the staining process. After formaldehyde fixation, dehydration and embedding in paraffin or celloidin, fine fibers and synaptic endings may be demons. After formaldehyde fixation and mordanting in 3% K2Cr2O7, myelinated fibers and mitochondria are specifically stained. The unique feature of this method is, that the Ag soln. (0.5% protargol) is mixed with the reducing soln.: 1.6% Rochelle salts, containing traces of AgNO3, MgSO4, and K2S (U.S.P.). The sections are placed directly into this mixture, which is then warmed to 45-55[degree]C. Sections are removed when progressive staining is completed, washed in water, dehydrated and mounted. In the fiber stain, nerve fibers and synaptic endings are dark brown or black, and nuclear chromatin is deep brown, against a pale yellow background. When the myelin sheath is followed the fiber bundles are deep brown, and the intensity of the staining remains the same for specific tracts, aiding in their identification.