[Histonet] Perl's staining after using acid fixative ?

[Sven van Eijl]

Dear Histonetters,

We have been wanting to do a Perl's stain for iron on resin-embedded sections of mouse lung, but in the protocol it is stated that acid fixatives are best "avoided". Does anyone know if this means that there is absolutely no point in trying to do this staining, or could we still get some results. The fixative we used is Carnoy's. Are there other methods for iron staining that can be used, or does the presence of acetic acid in the fixative remove iron form the tissue alltogether ?

Thanks for any input,
Sven

****************************************************************************************************************
T.J.A.van Eijl, MSc.
Dept. Pharmacology and Pathophysiology               
Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences        
Utrecht University
Utrecht
The Netherlands                                   

F.A.F.C. Wentgebouw
Sorbonnelaan 16
3584 CA Utrecht
Room W146               

Tel:  +31(0)30 253 1215
Fax: +31(0)30 253 7420

****************************************************************************************************************
"Many a man fails to become a thinker for the sole reason that his memory is too good"
Nietzsche
****************************************************************************************************************