Rapid Demonstration of Juxtaglomerular Granules with Alcoholic Crystal Violet

Abstract

Adult mouse kidney fixed in 9 commonly used fixatives was embedded in paraffin, sections prepared as usual, and tests made with 16 different dyes (mostly triphenyl methanes) for efficacy in staining of juxtaglomerular granules. On the basis of the tests, staining of dewaxed and hydrated sections in 0.5% crystal violet in 70% ethanol for 3 min, rinsing in tap water, blotting and completion of dehydration in a 1:1 aniline-xylene mixture, clearing in xylene, and covering in a synthetic resin, is recommended. Tissues fixed in dichromate-containing fixatives required a prestaining oxidation with acidified KMnO₄, but this was optional for other fixatives. In addition to crystal violet: ethyl violet, new fuchsin, and victoria blue 4R were also found to be effective stains for the granules.