This will give the slides a slightly dark appearance but in no way affects the nuclear staining. Following with a few dips in saturated aqueous lithium carbonate, the nuclei will blue immediately. This is optional, for the 20-minute wash in running water is sufficient to blue the nuclei. This step will in no way alter or minimize the staining of the nuclei. Reference Histopathology Laboratories, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Washington, D.C. 20305.
Phosphotungstic acid favors the red staining of muscle and cytoplasm.
The tungstate ion is specifically taken up by collagen, and the connective tissue fiber stain is subsequently bound to this complex, coloring the collagen green or blue, depending on the counterstain used. Fixative Any well-fixed tissue may be used. Bouin's solution is used as a mordant to intensify the color reactions. Erlenmeyer flasks graduated cylinders pipettes. 0.8 g Glacial acetic acid . . .