I am interested in a collagen stain that will allow one of our graduate 
students to quantify the amount of total collagen present in coronary 
artery sections. I have been reviewing the archives and literature for this 
information.  Based on my research thus far, picro-sirius red seems the 
best stain for this purpose. I am not interested in the birefringence 
properties of collagen and this stain as it is mainly collagen fiber (type 
I only?) birefringence that is enhanced.  Is picro-sirius the best stain to 
use in determining the total collagen present in a given section using 
ordinary bright field microscopy?

Any comments or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Tracey Couse
Petit Institute for Bioengineering & Bioscience
Georgia Institu