Components:

  • Iron solution

  • Potassium Iodide, 3%, aqueous

  • Alcoholic Haematoxylin, 10%

  • Van Gieson's Solution

Fixation:

10% Formalin or Zenker's Stock Solution

Section:

Paraffin @ 6µm

Procedure:

  1. Deparaffinise and hydrate to distilled water.

  2. Place in staining solution for 15 minutes. Staining solution should be prepared fresh.
    Combine: 25ml Iron solution, 10ml Potassium Iodide, 3%, aqueous., 3.5ml Alcoholic Haematoxylin, 10%.
    Use once and discard.

  3. Wash in tap water. Differentiate in Iron Solution, diluted 1-4 with distilled water

  4. Counter stain with Van Gieson's Solution, 3 - 5 minutes.

  5. Dehydrate, clear and mount.

Stain Results:

Elastic Fibres

Intensely blue-black

Nuclei

Blue to black

Collagen

Red

Smooth and Striated Muscle

Brownish

References:

Clark, G., Ed: Staining Procedures. 3 rd ed., Baltimore : William and Wilkens Co. c. 1972, p. 61

AFIP Manual of Histologic Staining Techniques. 3 rd ed., Ed. G.. Luna: New York: McGraw-Hill Publications, C. 1968, p. 76