Alcian blue as an en bloc stain for turtle lung goblet cells, with and without prior periodate oxidation.

Abstract

Alcian blue 8GX was a reliable en bloc stain for demonstrating goblet cells in the epithelium which lines the airways in the lungs of the red-eared turtle Pseudemys scripta elegans. Prior oxidation with 0.5% periodate did not enhance staining. Subsequent PAS staining of histological sections failed to reveal additional goblet cells not stained by alcian blue.