Abstract
The uranaffin reaction (UR) specifically stains neurosecretory (NS) granules of the neuroendocrine system when performed at pH 3.9 and at a 4% concentration of uranyl acetate. Merkel-cell NS granules stained using the UR were found to have a different appearance than granules observed after routine processing. We therefore compared the average values obtained with both methods, examining the maximum diameter, area, form factor, and numerical density of such NS granules. The maximum diameter and area of NS granules were significantly greater ( P < 0.001) in samples stained using a conventional technique (CT) (93.30 nm, 6,411 nm 2) that in those stained with the UR (63.95 nm, 2,148 nm 2). The form factor of conventionally stained NS granules (0.9) was significantly greater ( P< 0.001) than that of granules stained with the UR (0.7). No significant difference in numerical density was found for the two techniques (CT: 8.11 ± 2.51; UR: 6.14 ± 2.38). It was found that the UR is a useful cytochemical marker for NS granules of Merkel cells, and that the ultrastructural morphology and intracellular arrangement of NS granules stained with the UR are different from those revealed using CT.
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