Staining Methods for Semithins and Ultrathins

Abstract

When we speak of staining semithins, we are generally referring to 0.25- to 0.5-μm-thick sections cut from blocks of epoxide-embedded tissues. There are other resins such as the acrylic resins (Lowicryls, LR White and LR Gold) in common use that will have different staining responses from epoxides because of their partial miscibility with water. In addition, semithin frozen sections have still other staining characteristics resulting from their significant hydrophilicity. For the purposes of this chapter, however, we will limit our discussion almost exclusively to the epoxide sections, since these are the most commonly used resins for biological work. Any of the stains for these resins will work with much reduced staining time on more water-miscible sections.