ENZYME TRIPLE STAINING FOR DIFFERENTIATION OF LYMPHATICS FROM VENOUS AND ARTERIAL CAPILLARIES

5'-nucleotidase (5'-Nase)-dipeptidyl aminopeptidase IV (DAPase)-alkali ne phosphatase (ALPase) triple staining was used to differentiate lymp hatics from venous and arterial capillaries in a variety of mammalian tissue sections including human. This triple staining method facilitat es specific identification under a Eight microscope of 5'-Nase activit y in lymphatics, DAPase activity in venous capillaries and venules and ALPase activity in arterial capillaries and arterioles. This techniqu e depicts initial lymphatics more clearly and extensively than other m ethods so far reported although some interspecies and tissue differenc es are obtained in each enzyme activity.