Autometallographic Silver Amplification of Colloidal Gold

Abstract

Measures required to maximize the sensitivity and specificity of autometallographic (AMG) silver enlargement of colloidal gold particles are described. The silver amplification technique is called AMG because metal is what triggers the magnification process. As AMG has a multitude of applications apart from its use in immunohistochernistry, it is important that silver techniques based on Liesegang's original physical developer have a name that is both logical and easy to remember to facilitate the spread of technical AMG improvements to come.

The chemical process that is believed to take place during AMG is described and illustrated, and the two technically different ways ofutilizing AMG arediscussed. Although other modifications of Liesegang's original AMG developer have been devised in laboratories all over the world and could be just as valuable, we off offer five protocols we believe optimize results of colloidal gold AMG. (The J Histotechnol 16:201, 1993)

Keywords:

• autometallography (AMG)
• colloidal gold amplification, immunogold-silver staining (IGSS)
• immunocytochemistry
• light microscopy
• silver amplification
• ultrastructure