The use of a rapid new technique in the demonstration of cutaneous catecholamines

Abstract

The demonstration of cutaneous monocamines was first made possible by the histoflourescent technique of Falck et al., J. Histochem. Cytochem., 10, 348, 1962, a very difficult and time consuming technique, available to only a few investigators. The present technique, using glyoxylic acid condensation requires no special equipment or expertise, and takes only 20 min from animal to microscope. Using this technique, it has been demonstrated that standard random skin flaps in the rat and pig are generally devoid of catecholamines in their entirety within 4 days of elevation, and catecholamine depletion also occurs by 4 days within 5 mm of any cutaneous incision. Catecholamine depletion, implying sympathectomy, could not be produced in the groin-based abdominal flap of the rat by section of the nerve in the caudal superficial epigastric pedicle, but could be produced by section of the filamentous fibers present between the abdominal wall and the skin.