STAINING, PRACTICAL AND THEORETICAL 



ALDEHYDE THIONIN - LUXOL FAST BLUE -PAS 



For the simultaneous and specific demonstration of thyro- 

 troph, gonadotroph and acidophil cells in the anterior 



hypophysis 



Solutions required: 



A. Potassium permanganate, 2% 



aqueous 



B. Sulphuric acid, 0-5% aqueous 



C. Solution A \ equal volumes 

 Solution B ) of each 



D. Potassium bisulphite, 2% aqueous 



E. Aldehyde thionin 



F. Luxol fast blue . . . . . . o-i gm. 



Alcohol, 95% . . . . . . 100 ml. 



Glacial acetic acid . . . . 0-5 ml. 



G. Lithium carbonate 0-05% aqueous 

 H. Periodic acid, 1% aqueous 



L Schiff reagent 



Notes: 



{a) Solution E gives best results for pituitary staining after it 

 has undergone a lengthy period of ripening. 



{h) Solution F is used at a temperature of 57° C (see step 14, 

 below). 



Technique: 



1. Fix material in a saturated solution of mercuric chloride in 

 10% formalin. 



2. Embed in paraffin wax in the usual manner. 



3. Cut sections at 5 ^ and fix them to slides. 



4. Remove paraffin wax with xylol. 



5. Take through the usual graded alcohols down to water. 



6. Treat for the removal of mercuric precipitate. 



7. Immerse in solution C for two minutes. 



8. Bleach in solution D for about one minute. 



9. Wash well in running water. 



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