Basic Fuchsin and Picro-Indigo Carmine: A Selective Stain for Cells in Mitosis and for Autoradiography

Abstract

Selective staining of dividing nuclei is accomplished as follows: paraffin sections, after hydration, are stained 15 min in a saturated aqueous solution of basic fuchsin, washed, then stained 1.5 min in an equal-volumes mixture of indigo carmine saturated in 70% alcohol, and saturated aqueous picric acid. Removal of excess dye with 3 changes of 70% alcohol, dehydration, clearing and covering in a resinous medium completes the process. Nuclei of dividing cells are stained red; cytoplasm and interphase nuclei, light green. This method has been used successfully for determining the mitotic activity of skin, kidney, liver and other rabbit and mouse tissues. Tissue sections previously prepared as autoradiographs may be stained by this method to facilitate the determination of radioactive labeling of mitotic cells.