CV staining rat brains - (Jan/05/2007 )

Good day all. I stain SD pup brains, always post natal, and I wondered if anyone could point me in the direction of some protocols to help tweak my staining? The past few slide looked "washed out" when I put them under the microscope. I change my chloroform every 4-6 times and always change out my -OHs when they get discolored.

Thanks so much and have a super weekend

---

What do u mean by washed out ?

Usually I change my -OH after every 2-3 times.

---

The purple has usually been pretty deep and rich. But, when I looked at the last couple of slides, it seemed more lavender or lilac in color; I couldn't really bring out the nuclei very well. Thanks!

---

stain with the hematoxylin longer for a longer period. This should help.

---

Sorry, I should have repeated it in the body of the message, but I'm doing CV staining. Thanks

I do leave them for longer periods of time in the Cresyl Violet, and that lends to that richer color and nicely stained nuclei. But it's just been these past couple sets of slides that don't seem to be at the same level.

---

try a fresh sol. of CV and/or stain with it longer.

---