H&E is the most common survey stain, which shows cell nuclei and cytoplasmatic components.
Structures | Colour |
---|---|
Nuclei | blue |
Cytoplasm | pale red |
Connective-tissue fibres - Collagen - Reticular - Elastic |
red - pale rose to red |
Muscle tissue | red |
Erythrocytes | red-orange |
Hematoxylin | (e.g. hemalaun, Weigerts or Heidenhains iron-hematoxylin) Hematoxylin is a positively charged dye (at low pH values). It therefore colors negatively charged (basophilic) structures blue, like the DNA of nuclear chromatin, the RNA of rough endoplasmatic reticulum, and the acidic glycosaminoglycans of hyaline cartilage. Hematoxylin used in the preparation of iron varnish is Weigerts or Heidenhains iron-hematoxylin and in the preparation of aluminum varnish is hemalaun. |
Eosin | Eosin is a negatively charged dye used for counterstaining. It stains all remaining structures different shades of red (acidophilic). |
Thiazinrot |
Thiazinrot behaves similar as eosin. |