The mitochondrion was identified at the end of the 19th century by Altmann.
Benda in 1903 coined the term mitochondrion, from mito, thread, and
khóndrion, granule, because these organelles appeared as thread-forming
granules under the light microscope. Only a few years later, most of the
relevant functions of mitochondria, such as energy production, cell
respiration and inheritance, were suggested by Michaelis, Regaud and
Kingsbury. Even the biological origin of mitochondria as a symbiotic fusion
between a prokaryote and a primitive eukaryote cell was hypothesized by
Portier decades before it could be more firmly established.

The next development in mitochondrial staining after Altmann in 1890, was
the technique developed by Kull in 1914 using the highly explosive dye,
aurantia.  Kull also substituted the fixative of Champy 1913 for the
fixative specified by Altmann in 1890. On the basis that Champy invented
this fixative for another purpose, the technique has been commonly known as
the Champy-Kull technique. (any technique in which acid fuchsin is used as
the primary stain). The two techniques of Champy-Kull and Parat  (in which
sections are "pre-dichromated") were brought together in 1928 by Volkonsky.

The more modern and commonly used techniques are given by Cain (AFIP Manual)
and another by Takaya, both of which treat the sections in Regaud's solution
prior to staining. 

I have tried both of these methods (preferring that of Cain) and would be
glad to fax you a copy of either.


Eric C. Kellar
Histology/Immunohistochemistry
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center

	----------
	From: 	Jo-Ann Bader[SMTP:jo-ann@lan1.molonc.mcgill.ca]
	Sent: 	Thursday, October 21, 1999 12:27 PM
	To: 	HistoNet@Pathology.swmed.edu
	Subject: 	MITOCHONDRIAL STAIN

	Hi all ,

	I am looking for a stain specifically for mitocondria on paraffin
sections.
	Is there such a thing?

	Thanks in advance
	Jo-Ann