Histology FAQ

Staining, Histochemistry and Histotechnology

(Frequently Asked Questions)

Dr. John A. Kiernan
Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology
The University of Western Ontario
London, Canada

FAQ Home > Staining Methods, Histochemistry

Cartilage staining with safranine

Question.

How do you stain cartilage with safranine?

Answer.

The Safranin O method for Cartilage goes like this;

1. Dewax section and take to water.
2. Stain nuclei with a suitable iron haematoxylin.
3. Blue in running tapwater.
4. Rinse in distilled water.
5. Stain with 1% light green diluted 1 in 5 with distilled water, for 3 minutes.
6. Rinse in 1% acetic acid.
7. Stain with 0.1% Saffranin O, for 4 - 6 minutes.
8. Rinse in 1% acetic acid and check under microscope. Any
overstaining with Safranin can be modified by re-applying the
light green solution briefly, and vice versa.
9. Dehydrate with alcohol,clear and mount.

(Modified from the method in Lillie's "Histopathological Technic and Practical Histochemistry")

John Difford
London, England
(adford[AT]compuserve.com)