Summary
Four μ sections of guinea-pig pancreas that had been fixed in Bouin’s fluid were deparaffinized, hydrated, oxidized in equal volumes of 0.3% KMnO4 and 0.3% H2SO4, decolorized in 2% oxalic acid and stained in 1% alcian blue in 70% alcohol for 10 min. Next they were stained for 5 min in chrome hematoxylin then into a dilute aqueous acid fuchsin solution followed by 2% phosphotungstic acid for 1 min. They were washed in running water until only the A-cells retained the red stain and were then counter stained with alcoholic aurantia for 5 min. Finally, the sections were cleared in xylene and mounted in D.P.X. Within the islets, B-cells stained blue green, A-cells bright red, D-cells pale yellow, while the acinar tissue stained blue grey. The wide separation between these colors represents a considerable advance on previous techniques for individual cell recognition within the islet.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Beccari N.: Elementi di tecnica microscopica — Soc. Ed. Libraria, Milano, 1952; p. 243.
Epple A.: A staining sequence for A, B and D cells or pancreatic islets — Stain Technol.42, 53, 1967.
Gomori G.: Studies of the cells of the pancreatic islets — Anat. Rec.74, 439, 1939.
Kito H., Hosoda S.: Triple stainancy for simultaneous visualization of cell types in islets of Langerhans of pancreas — J. Histochem. Cytochem.25, 1019, 1977.
Mc Gadey J.: Bulk staining method for the alpha and beta cells of the pancreatic islets — J. med. Lab. Technol.27, 310, 1970.
Maldonado R., San José H.: A phloxine-azur-haematoxylin sequence for differential staining of cells in pancreatic islets — Stain Technol.42, 215, 1967.
Mowry R. W.: Revised method producing improved colouration of acidic mucopolysaccharides with alcian blue 8GX supplied currently — J. Histochem. Cytochem.8, 233, 1960.
Preece A.: A manual for histologic technicians — Little, Brown and Co., Boston, 1959; p. 179.
Rona G., Morvay I.: Differentiation of cells in the hypophysis and pancreatic islets — Stain Technol.31, 215, 1956.
Steedman H. F.: Alcian blue 8GS: a new stain for mucin — Quart. J. micr. Sci.91, 478, 1950.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Mc Gadey, J. A staining sequence for the differentiation of A-, B-, and D-cells of the islets of guinea-pig pancreas. Acta diabet. lat 16, 243–246 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02629118
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02629118