Staining Nuclei and Chromosomes in Protozoa

Abstract

Technics for free-living forms such as Paramecium and for parasitic forms such as the opalinid ciliates are described. Paramecium: Fix in hot Schaudinn''s fluid containing 5% of glacial acetic acid for 5-15 mins. Dehydrate up to 83% alcohol. Mount the specimens on albuminized cover glasses. Apply a thin layer of collodion to the cover glass to prevent the loss of the specimens during the subsequent handling. Hydrate; stain in iron-haematoxylin, and destain in saturated aq. picric acid. Opalinid Ciliates: Make smears on cover glasses and fix them while wet: in hot Schaudinn''s for staining in hematoxylin as above; or in weak Fleming''s fluid for the Feulgen reaction.