Alcian green stain for cartilage

Reference: Tuan, R. 1987. Mechanisms and regulation of calcium transport by the chick embryonic chorioallantoic membrane. J. Exp. Zool. [Suppl.] 1: 1-13.

This is an easy method for stianing cartilage that can be used with isolated or CAM-grafted limbs to study limb development or with whole embryos (8 to 12 days of incubation, ).

1. Fix limbs or embryos in 5% TCA for 1 hour at room temperature.
(Eviscerate embryos before fixation).

2. Wash 3X with PBS.

3. Immerse in Alcian green stain for 4 hours with gentle agitation.

4. Wash 3X with 70% ethanol, several hours to overnight.

5. Wash with 85%ethanol, 95% ethanol, 100% ethanol, several hours to overnight each.

6. Clear by washing 1-3X with methyl salicylate.

 

Day 8 chick embryo stained with alcian green

For other examples, click here.

 

Alcian green stain:

0.1 g Alcian green

70 ml 100% ethanol

1 ml conc. HCl

29 ml dH2O

(100 ml)

@Cebra-Thomas, 2003

Last Modified: 20 January 2003


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