The Staining of the Synaptonemal Complex for Light Microscopic Study in the Mouse

Abstract

Demonstration of the synaptonemal complex for light microscopy has until now been based on staining with silver. After fixation at pH 9–10 it is also possible to visualize synaptonemal complexes with several nonspecific protein stains such as Coomassie brilliant blue, Giemsa, fast green, light green and Stains All. Although staining with silver gives the best contrast between synaptonemal complexes and the background, the other dyes have a number of advantages, such as more even staining, easy extractability, and lower cost than silver.