Differential Staining of Degenerating Fascicles in Peripheral Nerves

A study has been made on the possibility of replacing leucofuchsin by colored basic fuchsin for the histochemical demonstration of aldehydes. Several tissues from mammals and various pertinent fixatives were used. Aldehydes were freed from carbohydrates by oxidation and from thymonucleic acid by hydrolysis.

It was found that the colored form and not necessarily the leucoform of basic fuchsin can be used histochemically in demonstrating aldehydes. The technic used is as follows: (1) Treat with 1.0–0.5% H₅IO₆ (or in 1% KIO₄ in M/1 H₂SO₄) for 5 to 10 min. and wash thoroughly. For thymonucleic acid hydrolize with N HCl 5 min. at room temperature, 10 min. at 60°C. and 5 min. at room temperature. (2) Stain for 2–3 min. with 0.05% basic fuchsin in 5% ethanol, 3% phenol. (3). Transfer immediately to 1 or 2 changes of 1% sodium bisulphite or potassium metabisulphite in 0.1–0.2 N H₂SO₄ for a total of 5 min. (4) Rinse with water and treat with M H₂SO₄ in 95% ethanol for 3–5 min. 6. Wash thoroughly in water and dehydrate, clear, and mount. For glycogen and mucin the following counterstaining solution is recommended: orange G, 0.25 g.; light green SFY, 0.10 g.; phosphotungstic acid 0.50 g.; 50% ethanol, 100 ml.; glacial acetic acid, 0.25 ml.