Intensification of Osmium Staining by p-Phenylenediamine: Paraffin and Epon Embedding; Lipid Granules in Renal Medulla

Abstract

Tissue which had been fixed in 4% glutaraldehyde and postfixed in 2% OsO₄ was subsequently treated with p-phenylenediamine, either in the block prior to embedding in paraffin or Epon or, in the case of Epon-embedded material, after sectioning for light microscopy. The p-phenylenediamine was best used as a 0.8-1% solution in 70% alcohol. The p-phenylenediamine caused a very considerable intensification of staining of any cell components; this intensification of staining was particularly marked in the case of the lipid granules of renal medulla.