On Thu, 3 Feb 2000, Joan C. Yonchek wrote:

> Was asked to find a source and protocol for a cytology stain called
> Pollak's Trichrome.  Years ago it was marketed by Paragon in
> New York.  If this is no longer available can someone suggest a 
> substitute.

   It is in Presnell & Schreibman (1997) Humason's Animal Tissue
   Techniques, 5th edn, pp 144-145. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins 
   Univ. Press. It's cited from a 1944 paper. This is a one-step
   trichrome with 4 dyes: acid fuchsine, ponceau 2R, light 
   green SF and orange G, with PTA, PMA and acetic acid, made up
   in 50% alcohol. On page 131 of the same book there some useful
   practical comments, recommendations and references about 
   one-step trichromes, and Pollak's isn't recommended.

   My favourite one-step trichrome is Gabe's, which uses amaranth,
   fast green FCF and martius yellow, with PMA. It doesn't stain
   too darkly, and you can use 10-12 um sections, which are better
   for many purposes than thinner ones.

 John A. Kiernan,
 Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology,
 The University of Western Ontario,
 LONDON,  Canada  N6A 5C1