Although we  haven't done this stain in a long time, I do remember that when
staining for melanin we incubated in silver sol. for 1 hr. and if for
argentaffin we incubated for 2 hours. This took care of the problem.

Good luck.
Marg

Marjorie Hagerty H.T. (ASCP) H.T.L., Q IHC
Supervisor, Anatomic Pathology
Eisenhower Medical Center
39-000 Bob Hope Drive
Rancho Mirage, CA 92270


Marg


-----Original Message-----
From: NLOUISEA@aol.com [mailto:NLOUISEA@aol.com]
Sent: Wednesday, March 14, 2001 12:02 PM
To: HISTONET@pathology.swmed.edu
Subject: Fontana-Masson


I'm having a problem with FM stain.  The melanin in the skin used as a 
control stains well but the argentaffin granules in the small intestine are 
not staining.  Any ideas why not?  And/or does anyone have a foolproof 
staining method for FontanaMasson they'd be willing to share?
Thanks in advance.
Nancy