I personally would not recommend that you use Orcein as in my hands it has not proved to be effective in showing fine elastic fibers. I would recommennd Hart's modification of Weigert's elastin stain.
Barry

	-----Original Message----- 
	From: ncragg [mailto:n.cragg@epistem.co.uk] 
	Sent: Wed 4/2/2003 2:04 AM 
	To: 'HistoNet Server' 
	Cc: 
	Subject: Orcein staining for elastic fibres in skin
	
	

	Please could anyone help me on which protocol to use for orcein staining
	for elastic fibres in skin?
	
	I have several protocols and I'm not sure which one to use.  I have a basic
	protocol (stain rehydrated sections with orcein, dehydrate and mount) and
	protocols which involve prior stages of oxidising with potassium
	permanganate, bleaching with oxalic acid and immersion in periodic acid.  I
	am aware that orcein also stains for Hep B antigen in liver tissue,
	therefore, I wasn't sure whether these extra steps are something to do with
	the tissue being stained.
	
	I need to stain frozen sections of skin and therefore, was also wondering
	whether air drying and fixing in 10% formalin, would be OK for this
	histological stain?
	
	Kind regards,
	
	Nicola Cragg
	Epistem Ltd.
	Manchester, UK