A Rapid Technic for Demonstrating mast cells in Mouse Skin

A simple rapid technic is described for demonstrating mast cells in mouse skin. The procedure requires about 60 minutes from time of specimen removal until permanent mounting. The steps comprise: (1) stretch-mounting of skin on a cardboard frame; (2) fixing and dehydrating in absolute ethanol for 15 minutes; (3) xylene washing for 10 minutes; (4) absolute ethanol washing for 10-15 minutes; (5) 3-4 minutes in a 0.1% aqueous solution of methylene blue; (6) dehydrating and differentiating in absolute ethanol; (7) clearing in xylene; (8) trimming and mounting. Cell counts may be made immediately, as well as high dry and oil immersion study of cytological detail of mast cells.