AN IMPROVED HISTOCHEMICAL TECHNIQUE FOR DIFFERENTIATING ADRENALINE-CONTAINING AND NORADRENALINE-CONTAINING CELLS

Background: Sevki's histochemical technique allows specific staining o f catecholamine-containing cells, yet discrimination between adrenalin e-(ADR-) cells and noradrenaline-(NOR-) cells is unreliable, being bas ed on hue differences. Methods: In this work, histochemical differenti ation of ADR- and NOR-cells in rat adrenal medulla was carried out by introducing two modifications to Sevki's technique: 1) employment of a ged Giemsa solution, and 2) addition of an alkaline differentiating st ep. Results: With these changes, ADR-cells stained brown, whereas NOR- cells were deep-green, resulting in a clear-cut differentiation. Concl usions: The modified technique permits to differentiate ADR-from NOR-c ells in the adrenal medulla using only a bright field microscope witho ut any sophisticated equipment, The present procedure is inexpensive a nd easy to carry out.