[Histonet] Feulgen stain for DNA

[Gayle Callis]

For Feulgens, Bouins may not be the best fixative particularly if you fix a
long time in this solution.  Acetic acid in Bouins the acetic acid in
Bouins starts hydrolyzing the purine and pyrimidine bases from sugar
phosphate groups to release aldhyde groups from the DNA deoxypentose sugar.
 This is the very reason acid decalcifiers are not recommended if one wants
to do Feulgens.  

When you then do Feulgens, HCL continues this hydrolyzation, the problem
lies in overhydrolyzation, and poor staining.  

Formalin may be a better fixation.    
Gayle Callis
MT,HT,HTL(ASCP)
Research Histopathology Supervisor
Veterinary Molecular Biology 
Montana State University - Bozeman
PO Box 173610
Bozeman MT 59717-3610
406 994-6367 (lab with voice mail)
406 994-4303 (FAX)