A Methanol Resorcin-Fuchsin Stain for Elastic Tissues and Nuclei

Abstract

The staining properties of conventional ethanol resorcin-fuchsin and of methanol resorcin-fuchsin were compared. Formula: Dissolve 0.2 g of commercial resorcin-fuschin in 70 ml of methanol or ethanol, add 30 ml of water and 1 ml of concentrated HCI; stain sections for 4 hours. Both solutions colored elastic and pseudoelastic fibers, cartilage and some mucins. Methanol resorcin-fuchsin also colored nuclei in methacarn- (methanol-chloroform-glacial acetic acid 6:3:1) and formalin-fixed tissues; this nuclear stain withstood counterstaining with picro-dye mixtures. Zenker-fixed sections showed diffuse coloration with little or no contrast between nuclei and cytoplasm. Extraction with hot trichloracetic acid abolished binding of methylene blue, but binding of methanol resorcin-fuchsin by nuclei remained unaltered or was enhanced. Experiments with solvents containing various concentrations of methanol, ethanol or isopropanol indicated that the staining patterns of resorcin-fuchsin are determined by the nature and concentration of the alcohol. Methanol resorcin-fuchsin proved useful for simultaneous visualization of elastic tissues and nuclei.