Selective staining of secretory granules of adrenal medullary cells by silver methenamine: A light and electron microscopic study

Abstract

A reevaluation of the silver methenamine reaction as an electron stain has ensued from recent use of glutaraldehyde fixation alone. By this technique, three cell types of rat adrenal medulla were found: (i) the norepinephrine-containing cells showed selectively stained, irregular, black granules; (ii) the epinephrine-containing cells showed round, light-grey granules; and (iii) the third cell type showed round granules like those of epinephrine-containing cells, but black in color, similar to those of the norepinephrine-containing cells.