A staining method of epoxy-embedded lymphatic and hemopoietic tissues in autoradiograms

Summary Autoradiograms of sections 0.8–1.0 thick of epoxy-embedded, glutaraldehyde and OsO₄ fixed lymphatic and hemopoietic tissues were stained with 4% aqueous basic fuchsin at 70°C for 3 min, rinsed well and destained twice at 70°C for 1 min. A 1% methylene blue solution dissolved in 1% borax aqueous solution mixed with 1% aqueous azur II solution in the proportion of 1:1 was then allowed to act on the slide at 70°C for 1 min. The stain was rinsed well off slide and destained also twice at 70°C for 1 min.The preparation was dried before applying a mounting medium (Eukitt) and cover glass. An Eukitt mounting prevented the stain from fading for at least 1 year. The method is simple, rapid and provides sharp contrast in autoradiography with well destained nucleal emulsion.This study was supported by Alexander von Humboldt-Foundation.