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Wallart & Honette’s Trichrome for Connective Tissues

Protocol

Wallart & Honette's Trichrome

for Connective Tissues

9
steps
6
materials

Materials

Stock solution 1

MaterialAmount
Acid fuchsin1g
Acetic acid1mL
Distilled water100mL

Stock solution 2

MaterialAmount
Fast yellow3g
Acetic acid1mL
Distilled water100mL

Stock solution 3

MaterialAmount
Phosphomolybdic acid1g
Distilled water100mL

Working solution A

MaterialAmount
Stock solution 130mL
Stock solution 230mL
Stock solution 330mL

Working solution B

MaterialAmount
Acetic acid1mL
Distilled water100mL

Working solution C

MaterialAmount
Acetic acid1mL
Ethanol 100%100mL

Tissue Sample

5µ paraffin sections of formalin fixed tissue are suitable. Many other fixatives are likely to be satisfactory. Most trichrome stains benefit from picric acid or mercuric chloride fixation. Formalin fixed tissues may benefit from secondary fixation of sections in Bouin’s fluid.

Protocol

  1. Bring sections to water via xylene and ethanol.
  2. Stain nuclei with an acid resistant nuclear stain.
  3. Rinse well with tap water.
  4. Place into solution A for 5 minute.
  5. Rinse quickly with distilled water.
  6. Place into solution B for 5 minutes.
  7. With a pipette, drop solution C onto the slide for 30 seconds.
  8. Dehydrate with ethanol.
  9. Clear with xylene and mount with a resinous medium.

Expected Results

  • Elastic  –  pink
  • Cytoplasm  –  red
  • Collagen  –  yellow
  • Nuclei  –  black

Safety Note

Prior to handling any chemical, consult the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for proper handling and safety precautions.

References

  1. Gray, Peter. (1954)
    The Microtomist’s Formulary and Guide.
    Originally published by: The Blakiston Co.
    Republished by: Robert E. Krieger Publishing Co.
    Citing:
    Wallart and Honette, (1934)
    Bulletin d’histologie appliquée à la physiologie et à la pathologie et de technique microscopique, v. 10, p. 404.