Nuclear fast red (Kernechtrot): users?
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From: | "J. A. Kiernan" <jkiernan@julian.uwo.ca> |
To: | Histonet <Histonet@Pathology.swmed.edu> |
Reply-To: | |
Date: | Sat, 8 May 1999 01:28:47 -0400 (EDT) |
Content-Type: | TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII |
Nuclear fast red (C.I. 60760; also known as Kernechtrot, and as
McGee-Russell's calcium red) is often used as a pink or red
counterstain that shows the nuclei of cells. Typically, it is
used as a 0.1% solution in 5% aluminium sulphate, which should
make a "mordant" dyeing solution comparable to alum-haematein,
alum-brazilein or alum-carminic acid. Opinions vary greatly
about the value of alum-Kernechtrot as a nuclear stain, and
I would like to pick the brains of the many HistoNetters who
have used or tried to use this dye. Good and bad results may be
due to differences in dye batches or to different techniques of
application. It seems to me that trustworthy supplies of this
supposedly simple red/pink nuclear stain should be widely available
to all who want to stain nuclei red or pink.
Searches of the scientific literature are disappointing, because
the names of simple counterstains do not figure in titles of papers
or in lists of keywords. My gut feelings (partly HistoNet-derived)
are that (a) nuclear fast red is widely used, and (b) there are
both happy and unhappy campers.
Please tell us of your experiences with this dye. It seems to me
that it's a strong candidate for standardization and certification,
and I intend to suggest it as a new certifiable dye at the June
meeting of the Biological Stain Commission. In particular, say
where you obtained good or bad dye, and if you have deviated from
the "standard" ratio of dye:aluminium in the working solution.
Reply to me alone or to the whole HistoNet community, as you see
fit. If there are lots & lots of off-list replies, I'll send in a
general review of people's opinions in a week or two, as is often
done.
John A. Kiernan,
Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology,
The University of Western Ontario,
LONDON, Canada N6A 5C1
Phone: (519) 679-2111
FAX (Department): (519) 661-3936
E-mail: kiernan@uwo.ca
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