THE PLASMAL REACTION OF FEULGEN AND VOIT WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO THE ADRENAL BODY

Abstract

A reliable plasmal reaction, showing the presence of acetal-phosphatides, can be obtained only with techniques not requiring storage of the tissues before immersion in the reagent, as storage in the presence of air causes the formation of aldehydes in the tissues, probably by auto-oxidation of unsaturated lipids. Formol fixation does not preserve the acetalphosphatides in tissue blocks. The positive "Schiff reaction" after formol fixation is probably due to aldehydes formed by oxidation. The adrenal medulla always gives a strong plasmal reaction. In the cortex of horse, rat and rabbit adrenals, only the glomerulbsa is distinctly stained. The adrenals of cattle, sheep and swine are stained throughout the cortex. In the dog adrenal the fasciculata is much fainter than in other zones, and the same applies to the outer fasciculata and the reticularis of the cat adrenal, and to the outer fasciculata of the guinea pig adrenal. In most adrenals, the bi-refringent crystals, cholesterol esters and sudanophilic materials are principally found in areas negative or only slightly positive to the plasmal reaction. A positive reaction was found in most other organs, but never within lipid drop-lets. The liver cells were negative, but after mild oxidation a faint color was seen.