Reticulin silver staining kit acc. to Gordon & Sweet – Safe and economic preparation of reticular fibers

Merck has introduced an environmentally friendly, ready-to-use kit to visualize reticular fibers for up to 110 paraffin sections per kit.

Paraffin section, lung, Reticulin silver plating

Reticular fibers can be observed in basal membranes and support membranes, as well as around epithelial layers, capillaries and peripheral nerve fibers; they are also found in the liver, kidney or other hematopoietic organs. To provide both flexibility and steadiness to the organs and the surrounding tissue, the fibers build a highly ordered cellular network. The fibers consist of, among others, woven strands of type III collagen, which is high in glycoprotein. The glycoprotein content, the verifiability of glycoprotein by Periodic-Acid-Schiff and its affinity to silver salt all enable the reticulin silver staining kit acc. to Gordon & Sweet to stain the reticular fibers black. This improves and facilitates detectablility, especially in comparison to hematroxylin and eosin methods.

The reticulin silver staining kit contains eight reagents, which are all boxed in 30 ml dropping bottles. To optimize consumption costs and prevent environmental pollution, they must be trickled very sparingly. One reticulin silver staining kit is therefore sufficient for up to 110 paraffin sections. Furthermore, the reticulin silver staining kit is CE certified, thus providing the best safety standards.

Paraffin section, lung, Reticulin silver plating with nuclear fast red

Additionally, to further improve the result, the reticulin silver staining kit can be enhanced with nuclear fast red-aluminum sulfate solution 0.1%. Thus, the reticular fibers will be stained black, while the nuclei, collagens and background are stained red.
Again, this improves the contrast and facilitates the detectability of reticular fibers.

If you would like additional information on the product, as well as the manual, analysis certificates or safety datasheet, please do not hesitate to contact us.