STAINING OF SEMITHIN GLYCOL METHACRYLATE SECTIONS WITH AZURE-II AND METHYLENE-BLUE

An alkaline solution of azure II and methylene blue has been used successfully on glycol methacrylate sections. Brilliant staining is achieved by treating large, semithin sections with the working solution (0.5% azure II, 0.5% methylene blue, and 0.25% sodium borate) for 60-90 sec at ambient temperature. The sections, with or without counterstaining, are suitable for both black-and-white and color photomicrography; they are particularly useful for surveying large specimens and for reconstructing three-dimensional relationships of organs, tissues, and cells. After staining with azure II and methylene blue, the images of glycol methacrylate sections are virtually indistinguishable from those of epoxy resin sections.