A Reliable Silver Impregnation Technique for the Nervous System

Abstract Many modifications of silver impregnation techniques for the demonstration of axons, neurons, neurofibrils, and dendrites have problems: cost, inconsistent results, and extended time for completion. Our method uses a presensitization in 1% silver, a gum- mastic treatment, immersion in a physical developing solution containing hydroquinone, gum mastic, and a low silver nitrate concentration. The sections are then toned in gold chloride, placed in thiosulfate, and optionally counterstained. The methbd avoids silver precipitate, is simple, economical, time saving (takes under 2 hours to perform), and gives consistent results. (The J of Histotechnol 10:245, 1987.)

[1]  H. Hubbell,et al.  Silver staining as an indicator of active ribosomal genes. , 1985, Stain technology.

[2]  W. Garvey,et al.  Modified Steiner for the Demonstration of Spirochetes , 1985 .

[3]  D. Jeanmonod,et al.  A silver and gold technique for axons and axon-bundles in formalin-fixed central and peripheral nervous tissue , 1984, Journal of Neuroscience Methods.

[4]  J. D. Ruiter.  The influence of post-mortem fixation delay on the reliability of the Golgi silver impregnation , 1983, Brain Research.

[5]  Y. Olsson,et al.  A silver-gold impregnation technique for routine neuropathological use , 1978, Acta Neuropathologica.

[6]  W. Joubert,et al.  A silver impregnation method for nervous tissue suitable for routine use with mounted sections. , 1977, Stain technology.

[7]  G. Ng.  The staining of nerves in serial sections. , 1970, Journal of anatomy.

[8]  F. Gallyas.  Silver staining of collagen and reticulin fibres and cerebral capillaries by means of physical development , 1970, Journal of microscopy.

[9]  A. Hirano,et al.  Silver impregnation of nerve cells and fibers in celloidin sections. A simple impregnation technique. , 1962, Archives of neurology.

[10]  T. Marsland,et al.  MODIFICATION OF THE GLEES SILVER IMPREGNATION FOR PARAFFIN SECTIONS , 1954, Journal of neuropathology and experimental neurology.

[11]  A. Palmgren.  A RAPID METHOD FOR SELECTIVE SILVER STAINING OF NERVE FIBRES AND NERVE ENDINGS IN MOUNTED PARAFFIN SECTIONS , 1948 .

[12]  G. Steiner,et al.  New Simple Silver Stain for Demonstration of Bacteria, Spirochetes, and Fungi in Sections from Paraffin-Embedded Tissue Blocks. , 1944 .

[13]  D. Bodian.  A new method for staining nerve fibers and nerve endings in mounted paraffin sections , 1936 .

[14]  J. Wolff,et al.  Experimental studies of mechanisms involved in methods demonstrating axonal and terminal degeneration. , 1980, Stain technology.