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Metal Impregnation, Silver

King’s Silver Impregnation for Amyloid

By Amyloid, Metal Impregnation, Metal Impregnation, Silver, Protocols, Stain Target, Stain Type
Protocol

King's Silver Impregnation

for Amyloid

7
steps
10
materials
print

Materials

  • Pyridine
  • Ethanol 50%, 75%, 95%
  • Sodium carbonate
    MaterialAmount
    Sodium carbonate, anhydrous3.5g
    Distilled water100mL
  • Silver nitrate, 10%
    MaterialAmount
    Silver nitrate10g
    Distilled water100mL
  • Carbol xylene
    MaterialAmount
    Xylene3volumes
    Phenol1volume
  • Ammoniacal Silver
    MaterialAmount
    Silver nitrate, 10% aqueous5mL
    Strong ammonia (S.G. 0.880)asrequired
    Sodium carbonate, aqueous6.8mL
    Distilled waterasrequired

    Add ammonium hydroxide drop by drop to 5 mL of the silver solution until the precipitate which forms just redissolves. Add 6.8 mL sodium carbonate solution and sufficient water to make up to 75 mL. For use, add a few drops of pyridine to each 10 mL of the solution.

Tissue Sample

10-15µ free floating frozen sections of formalin fixed tissues. Collect into water and wash in a few changes of distilled water to remove residual formalin.


Protocol

  1. Add pyridine to 10 mL ammoniacal silver solution and warm to 40°C.
  2. Float sections in the warm ammoniacal silver until they turn brown.
  3. Rinse with water.
  4. Place in 50% ethanol for 5-10 minutes.
  5. Quickly treat with 75% and 95% ethanols.
  6. Clear with carbol xylene.
  7. Mount sections on to slides and coverslip, using a resinous medium.

Expected Results

  • Amyloid – brown to black.

Safety Note

Prior to handling any chemical, consult the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for proper handling and safety precautions.


References

  1. King, L.S., (1948),
    Atypical Amyloid Disease: With Observation on a New Silver Stain for Amyloid, American Journal of Pathology, v 24, page 1095-1115
March 30, 2023
Love0

Gomori’s Impregnation for Reticulin

By Metal Impregnation, Metal Impregnation, Silver, Protocols, Reticulin, Stain Target, Stain Type
Protocol

Gomori's Impregnation

for Reticulin

19
steps
9
materials
print

Materials

  • Silver nitrate, 2% aqu.
  • Silver nitrate, 20% aqu.
  • Strong ammonium hydroxide (s.g. 0.88).
  • Sodium hydroxide, 40% aqu.
  • Periodic acid, 0.5% aqu.
  • Formalin, 3% aqu.
  • Yellow gold chloride, 0.5% aqu.
  • Sodium thiosulphate, 5% aqu.
  • Neutral red, 1% aqu.

Preparation of Ammoniacal Silver

  1. Place 10 mL of 10% silver nitrate in a flask.
  2. Add 2.5 mL of 10% potassium hydroxide.
  3. Allow the precipitate to settle then remove the supernatent with a Pasteur pipette.
  4. Wash the precipitate twice with distilled water, allowing the precipitate to settle and draining after each.
  5. Add 10 mL distilled water.
  6. While swirling, slowly add drops of strong ammonium hydroxide until the precipitate just redissolves.
  7. Slowly add a drop or more of 10% silver nitrate until the solution becomes very faintly opalescent.
  8. Make up to 20 mL with distilled water.

Tissue Sample

5 µ paraffin sections of neutral buffered formalin fixed tissue are suitable. Other fixatives are likely to be satisfactory. A section adhesive is recommended.

Protocol

  1. Bring sections to water via xylene and ethanol.
  2. Oxidise with 1% potassium permanganate for 2 minutes.
  3. Bleach in Oxalic acid for a 2 minutes.
  4. Rinse well with tap water.
  5. Sensitise with 2.5% iron alum solution for 1 minute.
  6. Rinse with tap water.
  7. Rinse well with distilled water.
  8. Treat with ammoniacal silver for 1 to 3 minutes.
  9. Rinse briefly with distilled water.
  10. Reduce in 10% formalin for 3 minutes.
  11. Rinse well with tap water.
  12. Rinse with distilled water.
  13. Tone with 0.2% gold chloride solution.
  14. Rinse with distilled water.
  15. Fix in 5% sodium thiosulphate for 5 minutes.
  16. Wash well with running tap water.
  17. Counterstain with neutral red for 1 minute.
  18. Rinse with tap water.
  19. Dehydrate with ethanol, clear with xylene, and mount with a resinous medium.

Expected Results

  • Reticulin fibres  –  black
  • Nuclei  –  red
  • Background  –  grey

Notes

  • Ensure that both the ammonium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide are fresh and full strength. Keep both well stoppered when not in use. For the ammonium hydroxide, pour sufficient for use from the stock bottle into a beaker, then immediately restopper the stock bottle. Do not return excess ammonium hydroxide to the stock bottle.
  • After making the ammoniacal silver solution, smell the solution to ensure it has only a faint smell of ammonia. If the smell of ammonia is strong it indicates that too much ammonium hydroxide has been added. If so, it is preferable to make the solution again. Improperly made ammoniacal silver solutions can affect the quality of the impregnation.
  • Drury & Wallington say to bleach with 3% aqueous potassium metabisulphite instead of oxalic acid at step 3.
  • Drury & Wallington also specify treatment with 3% aqueous potassium bisulphite for one minute followed by a distilled water rinse, immediately after toning (step 13). They do not say if this is part of the toning procedure or is an independent step. Culling et. al. omit it.
  • Iron alum is ferric ammonium sulphate.
  • 10% formalin is made by diluting strong formalin 1:10 with tap water (10 mL strong formalin, 90 mL tap water).
  • Toning is a variable step. Untoned sections give dark brown reticulin fibres on a paler brown background. Many microscopists prefer to tone for about 15 seconds to produce brown-black reticulin fibres on a pale grey-brown background. Others tone longer (a few minutes) to produce black reticulin fibres on a grey background. Longer toning produces purple tones. Tone according to the personal preference of the microscopist reviewing the slides.

Safety Note

Prior to handling any chemical, consult the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for proper handling and safety precautions.

References

  1. Drury, R A, and Wallington, E A, (1967).
    Carleton’s histological technique., Ed. 5.
    Oxford University Press, London, England.
  2. Culling, C F A, Allison, R T, Barr, W T, (1985).
    Cellular pathology technique., Ed. 4.
    Butterworths, London, England.
March 30, 2023
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Zimmerman’s Impregnation for Reticulin in Decalcified Tissue

By Metal Impregnation, Metal Impregnation, Silver, Protocols, Reticulin, Stain Target, Stain Type
Protocol

Zimmerman's Impregnation

for Reticulin in Decalcified Tissue

12
steps
7
materials
print

Materials

  • Silver nitrate, 10% aqu.
  • Silver nitrate, 3% aqu.
  • Strong ammonium hydroxide (s.g. 0.88)
  • Sodium hydroxide, 10% aqu.
  • Formalin, 10% aqu.
  • Yellow gold chloride, 0.5% aqu.
  • Sodium thiosulphate, 5% aqu.

Preparation of Zimmerman’s Ammoniacal Silver

  1. Place 25 mL of 10% aqueous silver nitrate in a flask.
  2. Add 10% aqueous sodium hydroxide until no more precipitate forms (with a Pasteur pipette).
  3. Add strong ammonium hydroxide by drops until the precipitate just dissolves.
  4. Dilute to 100 mL with distilled water.

Tissue Sample

5µ paraffin sections of neutral buffered formalin fixed and acid decalcified tissue are suitable. Other fixatives are likely to be satisfactory. A section adhesive is recommended.

Protocol

  1. Bring sections to water via xylene and ethanol.
  2. Place in 3% silver nitrate for 2 days.
  3. Wash with distilled water.
  4. Place in ammoniacal silver solution until sections are yellow-brown.
  5. Rinse with distilled water.
  6. Place in 10 formalin until sections are dark brown.
  7. Wash with distilled water.
  8. Tone with 0.5% gold chloride until sections are grey-black.
  9. Wash with distilled water.
  10. Fix in 5% sodium thiosulphate for 1 hour.
  11. Wash well with running tap water.
  12. Dehydrate with ethanol, clear with xylene and mount with a resinous medium.

Expected Results

  • Reticulin fibres  –  black
  • Background  –  grey

Notes

  • Ensure that the strong ammonium hydroxide is fresh and full strength. Keep well stoppered when not in use. Pour sufficient for use into a beaker, then immediately restopper the bottle. Do not return unused solution to the stock bottle.
  • Improperly made ammoniacal silver solutions can affect the quality of the impregnation. There should be a faint, persistent opalescence, with only a faint smell of ammonia.
  • Toning is a variable step. Untoned sections give dark brown reticulin fibres on a paler brown background. Many microscopists prefer to tone for about 15 seconds to produce brown-black reticulin fibres on a pale grey-brown background. Others tone longer (a few minutes) to produce black reticulin fibres on a grey background. Longer toning produces purple tones. Tone according to the personal preference of the microscopist reviewing the slides.
  • This method is a modification of Studricka’s technique using a shorter time in silver nitrate (step 2), and a more dilute ammoniacal silver solution (step 4).

Safety Note

Prior to handling any chemical, consult the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for proper handling and safety precautions.

References

  1. Gray, Peter. (1954)
    The Microtomist’s Formulary and Guide.
    Originally published by: The Blakiston Co.
    Republished by: Robert E. Krieger Publishing Co.
March 30, 2023
Love0

Wilder’s Impregnation for Reticulin

By Metal Impregnation, Metal Impregnation, Silver, Protocols, Reticulin, Stain Target, Stain Type
Protocol

Wilder's Impregnation

for Reticulin

19
steps
12
materials
print

Materials

  • Silver nitrate, 2% aqu.
  • Strong ammonium hydroxide (s.g. 0.88)
  • Sodium hydroxide, 40% aqu.
  • Potassium permanganate, 1% aqu.
  • Oxalic acid, 5% aqu.
  • Uranium nitrate, 1% aqu.
  • Yellow gold chloride, 0.2% aqu.
  • Sodium thiosulphate, 5% aqu.
  • Neutral red, 1% aqu.
  • Developer
    MaterialAmount
    Strong formalin5mL
    Uranium nitrate0.15g
    Water1L

Preparation of Bielchowsky’s Ammoniacal Silver

  1. Place 48 mL of 2% silver nitrate in a flask.
  2. Add 0.4 mL of 40% sodium hydroxide.
  3. While swirling, slowly add drops of strong ammonium hydroxide until the precipitate just redissolves.
  4. Make up to 100 mL with distilled water.

Tissue Sample

5µ paraffin sections of neutral buffered formalin fixed tissue are suitable. Other fixatives are likely to be satisfactory, but see the notes for comments about Zenker and Helly type fixed tissue. A section adhesive is recommended.

Protocol

  1. Bring sections to water via xylene and ethanol.
  2. Oxidize with 1% potassium permanganate for 1 minute.
  3. Rinse well with tap water.
  4. Bleach in Oxalic acid for 1 minute.
  5. Rinse well with tap water.
  6. Sensitize with 1% uranium nitrate solution for 5-10 seconds.
  7. Rinse with distilled water.
  8. Treat with Bielchowsky’s ammoniacal silver for 1 minute.
  9. Rinse briefly with 90% ethanol.
  10. Place in the developer for 1 minute.
  11. Rinse well with tap water.
  12. Rinse with distilled water.
  13. Tone with 0.2% gold chloride solution.
  14. Rinse with distilled water.
  15. Fix in 5% sodium thiosulphate for 1 minute.
  16. Wash well with running tap water.
  17. Counterstain with neutral red for 1 minute.
  18. Rinse with tap water.
  19. Dehydrate with ethanol, clear with xylene and mount with a resinous medium.

Expected Results

  • Reticulin fibres  –  black
  • Nuclei  –  red
  • Background  –  grey

Notes

  • For Zenker and Helly type fixatives, Wilder recommended a slightly different procedure.
    • Replace the Mallory bleach (steps 2-4) with 10% phosphomolybdic acid treatment for 1 minute, followed by a water rinse.
    • Use Foot’s ammoniacal silver solution instead of Bielchowsky’s.

      Foot’s ammoniacal silver: To 10 mL of 1% silver nitrate in a flask, add 0.1 mL of 40% potassium hydroxide. Add strong ammonium hydroxide drop by drop while shaking the solution until the precipitate just dissolves. Make up to 100 mL with distilled water.

  • Ensure that both the ammonium hydroxide and sodium hydroxide are fresh and full strength. Keep both well stoppered when not in use. For the ammonium hydroxide, pour sufficient for use from the stock bottle into a beaker, then immediately restopper the stock bottle. Do not return excess ammonium hydroxide to the stock bottle.
  • After making the ammoniacal silver solution, smell the solution to ensure it has only a faint smell of ammonia. If the smell of ammonia is strong, it indicates that too much ammonium hydroxide has been added. If so, it is preferable to make the solution again. Improperly made ammoniacal silver solutions can affect the quality of the impregnation.
  • It is sometimes difficult to obtain uranium nitrate, particularly if it requires international transportation.
  • The strong formalin used to make the developer should be neutralized, but do not use buffered formalin. Neutral formalin in this context may be made by keeping strong formalin over marble chips. However, be very careful as the gas given off may increase the pressure inside the container and cause an explosion. Either apply a cap loosely so gas can escape, or use a fermentation lock.
  • Toning is a variable step. Untoned sections give dark brown reticulin fibres on a paler brown background. Many microscopists prefer to tone for about 15 seconds to produce brown-black reticulin fibres on a pale grey-brown background. Others tone longer (a few minutes) to produce black reticulin fibres on a grey background. Longer toning produces purple tones. Tone according to the personal preference of the microscopist reviewing the slides.

Safety Note

Prior to handling any chemical, consult the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for proper handling and safety precautions.

References

  1. Gray, Peter. (1954)
    The Microtomist’s Formulary and Guide.
    Originally published by: The Blakiston Co.
    Republished by: Robert E. Krieger Publishing Co.
March 30, 2023
Love0

Studricka’s Impregnation for Reticulin in Decalcified Tissue

By Metal Impregnation, Metal Impregnation, Silver, Protocols, Reticulin, Stain Target, Stain Type
Protocol

Studricka's Impregnation

for Reticulin in Decalcified Tissue

12
steps
7
materials
print

Materials

  • Silver nitrate, 10% aqu.
  • Silver nitrate, 3% aqu.
  • Strong ammonium hydroxide (s.g. 0.88)
  • Sodium hydroxide, 10% aqu.
  • Formalin, 10% aqu.
  • Yellow gold chloride, 0.5% aqu.
  • Sodium thiosulphate, 5% aqu.

Preparation of Studricka’s Ammoniacal Silver

  1. Place 100 mL of 10% aqueous silver nitrate in a flask.
  2. Add 10% aqueous sodium hydroxide until no more precipitate forms (with a Pasteur pipette).
  3. Add strong ammonium hydroxide by drops until the precipitate just dissolves.

Tissue Sample

5µ paraffin sections of neutral buffered formalin fixed and acid decalcified tissue are suitable. Other fixatives are likely to be satisfactory. A section adhesive is recommended.

Protocol

  1. Bring sections to water via xylene and ethanol.
  2. Place in 3% silver nitrate for 4 days.
  3. Wash with distilled water.
  4. Place in ammoniacal silver solution until sections are yellow-brown.
  5. Rinse with distilled water.
  6. Place in 10 formalin until sections are dark brown.
  7. Wash with distilled water.
  8. Tone with 0.5% gold chloride until sections are grey-black.
  9. Wash with distilled water.
  10. Fix in 5% sodium thiosulphate for 1 hour.
  11. Wash well with running tap water.
  12. Dehydrate with ethanol, clear with xylene and mount with a resinous medium.

Expected Results

  • Reticulin fibres  –  black
  • Background  –  grey

Notes

  • Ensure that the strong ammonium hydroxide is fresh and full strength. Keep well stoppered when not in use. Pour sufficient for use into a beaker, then immediately restopper the bottle. Do not return unused solution to the stock bottle.
  • Improperly made ammoniacal silver solutions can affect the quality of the impregnation. There should be a faint, persistent opalescence, with only a faint smell of ammonia.
  • Toning is a variable step. Untoned sections give dark brown reticulin fibres on a paler brown background. Many microscopists prefer to tone for about 15 seconds to produce brown-black reticulin fibres on a pale grey-brown background. Others tone longer (a few minutes) to produce black reticulin fibres on a grey background. Longer toning produces purple tones. Tone according to the personal preference of the microscopist reviewing the slides.
  • Gray notes that Zimmerman recommended treatment with 3% silver nitrate for 2 days (step 2), and that the ammoniacal silver solution should be diluted 1 part with 3 parts distilled water (step 4).

Safety Note

Prior to handling any chemical, consult the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for proper handling and safety precautions.

References

  1. Gray, Peter. (1954)
    The Microtomist’s Formulary and Guide.
    Originally published by: The Blakiston Co.
    Republished by: Robert E. Krieger Publishing Co.
March 30, 2023
Love0

Robb-Smith’s Impregnation for Reticulin

By Metal Impregnation, Metal Impregnation, Silver, Protocols, Reticulin, Stain Target, Stain Type
Protocol

Robb-Smith's Impregnation

for Reticulin

20
steps
10
materials
print

Materials

  • Silver nitrate, 5% aqu.
  • Silver nitrate, 10% aqu.
  • Sodium hydroxide, 10% aqu.
  • Strong ammonium hydroxide (s.g. 0.88)
  • Ammonium hydroxide 10% aqu.
  • Potassium permanganate, 0.25% aqu.
  • Oxalic acid, 1.5% aqu.
  • Formalin, 37.5% aqu.
  • Yellow gold chloride, 0.2% aqu.
  • Sodium thiosulphate, 5% aqu.

Preparation of Robb-Smith’s Ammoniacal Silver

  1. Place 28.5 mL of 10% aqueous silver nitrate in a flask.
  2. Add 0.6 mL of 10% aqueous sodium hydroxide
  3. Add strong ammonium hydroxide by drops until the precipitate just dissolves.
  4. The solution should have a faint opalescence.
  5. Dilute to 100 mL with distilled water.

Tissue Sample

5µ paraffin sections of neutral buffered formalin fixed tissue mounted on slides are suitable. Other fixatives are likely to be satisfactory. A section adhesive is recommended. The paraffin wax does not need to be removed.

Protocol

  1. Place sections with the paraffin wax intact in 10% ammonia for 15 minutes
  2. Wash with tap water.
  3. Oxidize with 0.25% potassium permanganate for 5 minutes.
  4. Wash with tap water.
  5. Place in oxalic acid until bleached.
  6. Wash with tap water.
  7. Place in 5% silver nitrate for 1 hour.
  8. Rinse with distilled water.
  9. Treat with ammoniacal silver solution for 15 minutes.
  10. Wash with distilled water.
  11. Place in 37.5% formalin for 3 minutes.
  12. Wash with tap water.
  13. Rinse with distilled water.
  14. Tone with 0.2% gold chloride solution for 3 minutes.
  15. Rinse with distilled water.
  16. Fix in 5% sodium thiosulphate for 1 minute.
  17. Wash well with running tap water.
  18. Dehydrate with ethanol.
  19. Remove paraffin wax and clear with a few changes of xylene.
  20. Mount with a resinous medium.

Expected Results

  • Reticulin fibres  –  black
  • Background  –  grey

Notes

  • The 10% ammonium hydroxide is made by diluting 1 part strong ammonium hydroxide with 9 parts distilled water.
  • The 37.5% formalin solution (15% formaldehyde) is made by diluting 37.5 mL strong formalin with 62.5 mL tap water.
  • Ensure that the strong ammonium hydroxide is fresh and full strength. Keep well stoppered when not in use. Pour sufficient for use into a beaker, then immediately restopper the bottle. Do not return unused solution to the stock bottle.
  • Improperly made ammoniacal silver solutions can affect the quality of the impregnation. There should be a faint, persistent opalescence, with only a faint smell of ammonia.
  • Toning is a variable step. Untoned sections give dark brown reticulin fibres on a paler brown background. Many microscopists prefer to tone for about 15 seconds to produce brown-black reticulin fibres on a pale grey-brown background. Others tone longer (a few minutes) to produce black reticulin fibres on a grey background. Longer toning produces purple tones. Tone according to the personal preference of the microscopist reviewing the slides.

Safety Note

Prior to handling any chemical, consult the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for proper handling and safety precautions.

References

  1. Gray, Peter. (1954)
    The Microtomist’s Formulary and Guide.
    Originally published by: The Blakiston Co.
    Republished by: Robert E. Krieger Publishing Co.
March 30, 2023
Love0

Nassar & Shanklin Impregnation for Reticulin

By Metal Impregnation, Metal Impregnation, Silver, Protocols, Reticulin, Stain Target, Stain Type
Protocol

Nassar & Shanklin Impregnation

for Reticulin

22
steps
12
materials
print

Materials

  • Silver nitrate, 10% aqu.
  • Strong ammonium hydroxide (s.g. 0.880).
  • Oxalic acid, 2% aqu.
  • Yellow gold chloride, 2% aqu.
  • Sodium thiosulphate, 5% aqu.
  • Progressive hemalum
  • Mallory bleach
    MaterialAmount
    Potassium permanganate, 1% aqu.1vol
    Sulphuric acid, 0.5% aqu.1vol
  • Pyridinised silver nitrate
    MaterialAmount
    Silver nitrate, 2% aqu.10mL
    Pyridine3 drops
  • Reducer
    MaterialAmount
    Formalin, 2% aqu. neutralised1vol
    Ethanol, 95%1vol

Preparation of Ammoniacal Silver

  1. Place 1 mL of strong ammonium hydroxide into a flask.
  2. Pour in 7 mL of 10% aqueous silver nitrate.
  3. Add drops of 10% silver nitrate until a persistent, pale opalescence remains after shaking.
  4. Add an equal volume of distilled water. Add 3 drops pyridine for each 10 mL of solution for use.

Tissue Sample

5 µ paraffin sections of neutral buffered formalin fixed tissue are suitable. Other fixatives are likely to be satisfactory. A section adhesive is recommended.

Protocol

  1. Bring sections to water via xylene and ethanol.
  2. Oxidise with the Mallory bleach for 1-2 minutes.
  3. Rinse with distilled water.
  4. Bleach in Oxalic acid for 1-2 minutes.
  5. Rinse with distilled water.
  6. Rinse with tap water for 5 minutes.
  7. Rinse with 95% ethanol.
  8. Place in 2% silver nitrate
  9. Rinse with 95% ethanol.
  10. Treat with pyridinised silver nitrate at 50°C for 30 to 60 minutes.
  11. Rinse briefly with 95% ethanol.
  12. Treat with ammoniacal silver at 50°C for 5 minutes.
  13. Rinse briefly with 95% ethanol.
  14. Treat with the reducer for 2 minutes.
  15. Rinse well with distilled water.
  16. Tone with gold chloride solution until sections are grey.
  17. Rinse well with distilled water.
  18. Fix in 5% sodium thiosulphate for 2 minutes.
  19. Wash well with running tap water.
  20. Counterstain with a progressive hemalum and blue.
  21. Wash with tap water.
  22. Dehydrate with ethanol, clear with xylene, and mount with a resinous medium.

Expected Results

  • Reticulin fibres  –  black
  • Nuclei  –  blue
  • Background  –  grey

Notes

  • Ensure that the ammonium hydroxide is fresh and full strength. Keep well stoppered when not in use. Remove sufficient for use from the stock bottle then immediately restopper.
  • 2% formalin is made by diluting strong formalin 1:50 with tap water (2 mL strong formalin, 98 mL tap water). The strong formalin used to make this should be neutralised, but do not use buffered formalin. Neutral formalin in this context may be made by keeping strong formalin over marble chips. However, be very careful as the gas given off may increase the pressure inside the container and cause an explosion. Either apply a cap loosely so gas can escape, or use a fermentation lock.
  • Toning is a variable step. Untoned sections give dark brown reticulin fibres on a paler brown background. Many microscopists prefer to tone for about 15 seconds to produce brown-black reticulin fibres on a pale grey-brown background. Others tone longer (a few minutes) to produce black reticulin fibres on a grey background. Longer toning produces purple tones. Tone according to the personal preference of the microscopist reviewing the slides.

Safety Note

Prior to handling any chemical, consult the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for proper handling and safety precautions.

References

  1. Drury, R A, and Wallington, E A, (1967).
    Carleton’s histological technique., Ed. 5.
    Oxford University Press, London, England.
March 30, 2023
Love0

Maresch’ Impregnation for Reticulin in Liver

By Metal Impregnation, Metal Impregnation, Silver, Protocols, Reticulin, Stain Target, Stain Type
Protocol

Maresch' Impregnation

for Reticulin in Liver

12
steps
8
materials
print

Materials

  • Silver nitrate, 2% aqu.
  • Silver nitrate, 10% aqu.
  • Sodium hydroxide, 40% aqu.
  • Strong ammonium hydroxide (s.g. 0.88).
  • Formalin, 20% aqu.
  • Yellow gold chloride, 0.2% in 0.2% acetic acid.
  • Sodium thiosulphate, 5% aqu.
  • Neutral red, 1% aqu.

Preparation of Maresch’ Ammoniacal Silver

  1. Place 100 mL of 10% silver nitrate in a flask.
  2. Add 0.5 mL of 40% sodium hydroxide and mix well.
  3. Add drops of strong ammonium hydroxide until the precipitate just dissolves.

Tissue Sample

5 µ paraffin sections of neutral buffered formalin fixed tissue are suitable. Other fixatives are likely to be satisfactory. A section adhesive is recommended.

Protocol

  1. Bring sections to water via xylene and ethanol.
  2. Place in 2% silver nitrate for 12-24 hours.
  3. Treat with ammoniacal silver solution for 2-30 minutes.
  4. Rinse well with distilled water.
  5. Place in 10% formalin for 1 hour.
  6. Wash well with tap water.
  7. Rinse with distilled water.
  8. Tone with acidified gold chloride solution for 1 hour.
  9. Rinse well with distilled water.
  10. Fix in 5% sodium thiosulphate for 10-15 minutes.
  11. Wash well with tap water.
  12. Dehydrate with ethanol, clear with carbol-xylene, and mount with a resinous medium.

Expected Results

  • Reticulin fibres  –  black
  • Background  –  grey

Notes

  • Ensure that the ammonium hydroxide is fresh and full strength. Keep well stoppered when not in use. After removing the amount required immediately restopper the bottle.
  • Improperly made ammoniacal silver solutions can affect the quality of the impregnation. There should be a faint, persistent opalescence, with only a faint smell of ammonia.
  • Toning is a variable step. Untoned sections give dark brown reticulin fibres on a paler brown background. Many microscopists prefer to tone for about 15 seconds to produce brown-black reticulin fibres on a pale grey-brown background. Others tone longer (a few minutes) to produce black reticulin fibres on a grey background. Longer toning produces purple tones. Tone according to the personal preference of the microscopist reviewing the slides.

Safety Note

Prior to handling any chemical, consult the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for proper handling and safety precautions.

References

  1. Gray, Peter. (1954)
    The Microtomist’s Formulary and Guide.
    Originally published by: The Blakiston Co.
    Republished by: Robert E. Krieger Publishing Co.
March 30, 2023
Love0

Levi’s Impregnation for Reticulin in Zenker fixed Lymph Nodes

By Metal Impregnation, Metal Impregnation, Silver, Protocols, Reticulin, Stain Target, Stain Type
Protocol

Levi's Impregnation

for Reticulin in Zenker fixed Lymph Nodes

14
steps
8
materials
print

Materials

  • Silver nitrate, 2% aqu.
  • Silver nitrate, 20% aqu.
  • Sodium hydroxide, 40% aqu.
  • Strong ammonium hydroxide (s.g. 0.88).
  • Formalin, 12% aqu.
  • Yellow gold chloride, 0.5% aqu.
  • Sodium thiosulphate, 5% aqu.
  • Neutral red, 1% aqu.

Preparation of Levi’s Ammoniacal Silver

  1. Place 17 mL of 20% silver nitrate in a flask.
  2. Add 17 mL of 40% sodium hydroxide and mix well.
  3. Add drops of strong ammonium hydroxide until the precipitate just dissolves.
  4. Dilute to 100 mL with distilled water.

Tissue Sample

5 µ paraffin sections of neutral buffered formalin fixed tissue are suitable. Other fixatives are likely to be satisfactory. A section adhesive is recommended.

Protocol

  1. Bring sections to water via xylene and ethanol.
  2. Place in 2% silver nitrate for 24 hours.
  3. Treat with ammoniacal silver solution for 20-40 minutes, until they are brown.
  4. Rinse with distilled water.
  5. Place in 12% formalin for 5-10 minutes.
  6. Wash well with tap water.
  7. Rinse with distilled water.
  8. Tone with 0.5% gold chloride solution for 2 hours.
  9. Rinse well with distilled water.
  10. Fix in 5% sodium thiosulphate for 10-15 minutes.
  11. Wash well with tap water.
  12. Counterstain with neutral red for 1 minute.
  13. Rinse with tap water.
  14. Dehydrate with ethanol, clear with xylene, and mount with a resinous medium.

Expected Results

  • Reticulin fibres  –  black
  • Nuclei  –  red
  • Background  –  grey

Notes

  • Although the instructions do not specify it, any mercury pigment from the Zenker’s fluid fixation may be removed with the iodine-thiosulphate sequence.
  • Ensure that the ammonium hydroxide is fresh and full strength. Keep well stoppered when not in use. After removing the amount required immediately restopper the bottle.
  • Improperly made ammoniacal silver solutions can affect the quality of the impregnation. There should be a faint, persistent opalescence, with only a faint smell of ammonia.
  • Toning is a variable step. Untoned sections give dark brown reticulin fibres on a paler brown background. Many microscopists prefer to tone for about 15 seconds to produce brown-black reticulin fibres on a pale grey-brown background. Others tone longer (a few minutes) to produce black reticulin fibres on a grey background. Longer toning produces purple tones. Tone according to the personal preference of the microscopist reviewing the slides.

Safety Note

Prior to handling any chemical, consult the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for proper handling and safety precautions.

References

  1. Gray, Peter. (1954)
    The Microtomist’s Formulary and Guide.
    Originally published by: The Blakiston Co.
    Republished by: Robert E. Krieger Publishing Co.
March 30, 2023
Love0

Lillie’s Impregnation for Reticulin

By Metal Impregnation, Metal Impregnation, Silver, Protocols, Reticulin, Stain Target, Stain Type
Protocol

Lillie's Impregnation

for Reticulin

20
steps
8
materials
print

Materials

  • Silver nitrate, 10% aqu.
  • Strong ammonium hydroxide (s.g. 0.88).
  • Potassium permanganate, 0.5% aqu.
  • Oxalic acid, 5% aqu.
  • Uranium nitrate, 1% aqu.
  • Formalin, 10% aqu.
  • Yellow gold chloride, 0.2% aqu.
  • Sodium thiosulphate, 5% aqu.
  • Neutral red, 1% aqu.

Preparation of Lillie’s Ammoniacal Silver

  1. Place 20 mL strong ammonium hydroxide in a flask.
  2. Add 10% silver nitrate drop by drop until the precipitate is almost dissolved (about 25-30 mL). The solution should have a faint opalescence.
  3. Dilute to twice its volume with distilled water.

Tissue Sample

5 µ paraffin sections of neutral buffered formalin fixed tissue are suitable. Other fixatives are likely to be satisfactory. A section adhesive is recommended.

Protocol

  1. Bring sections to water via xylene and ethanol.
  2. Oxidise with 0.5% potassium permanganate for 2 minutes.
  3. Rinse well with tap water.
  4. Bleach in Oxalic acid for a 2 minutes.
  5. Rinse well with tap water.
  6. Sensitise with 1% uranium nitrate solution for 5-10 seconds.
  7. Rinse with distilled water.
  8. Treat with ammoniacal silver solution for 3 minute.
  9. Rinse briefly with 90% ethanol.
  10. Rinse with distilled water.
  11. Place in 10% formalin for 2 minutes.
  12. Rinse well with tap water.
  13. Rinse with distilled water.
  14. Tone with 0.2% gold chloride solution.
  15. Rinse with distilled water.
  16. Fix in 5% sodium thiosulphate for 2 minute.
  17. Wash well with running tap water.
  18. Counterstain with neutral red for 1 minute.
  19. Rinse with tap water.
  20. Dehydrate with ethanol, clear with xylene, and mount with a resinous medium.

Expected Results

  • Reticulin fibres  –  black
  • Nuclei  –  red
  • Background  –  grey

Notes

  • Ensure that the ammonium hydroxide is fresh and full strength. Keep well stoppered when not in use. After removing the amount required immediately restopper the bottle.
  • Improperly made ammoniacal silver solutions can affect the quality of the impregnation. There should be a faint, persistent opalescence, with only a faint smell of ammonia.
  • It is sometimes difficult to obtain uranium nitrate, particularly if it requires international transportation.
  • Toning is a variable step. Untoned sections give dark brown reticulin fibres on a paler brown background. Many microscopists prefer to tone for about 15 seconds to produce brown-black reticulin fibres on a pale grey-brown background. Others tone longer (a few minutes) to produce black reticulin fibres on a grey background. Longer toning produces purple tones. Tone according to the personal preference of the microscopist reviewing the slides.

Safety Note

Prior to handling any chemical, consult the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for proper handling and safety precautions.

References

  1. Gray, Peter. (1954)
    The Microtomist’s Formulary and Guide.
    Originally published by: The Blakiston Co.
    Republished by: Robert E. Krieger Publishing Co.
March 30, 2023
Love0