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6146800 
Journal Article 
POLARIZATION MICROSCOPIC STUDIES OF CONNECTIVE-TISSUE STAINED WITH PICRO-SIRIUS RED FBA 
Puchtler, H; Waldrop, FS; Valentine, LS 
1973 
Yes 
Beiträge zur Pathologie
ISSN: 0005-8165 
150 
2 
174-187 
WOS:A1973R452700005 
Summary Polarization microscopic studies are usually carried out on unstained tissues. However, polarization microscopy of dyed fibers has long been used in the textile industry and observations were correlated with x-ray diffraction data. In this study the principles of polarization microscopy of stained fibers were applied to connective tissue. Human autopsy material was fixed in buffered and unbuffered formalin, Zenkerformol, Carnoy's fluid or methacarn. Deparaffinized sections were stained in a 0.1% solution of Sirius F3BA in saturated aqueous picric acid for 30 minutes, dehydrated and mounted. Sirius red F3BA enhanced the birefringence of collagen and reticulum fibers significantly. Elastin, basement membranes, ring fibers, and related structures were isotropic. Collagen fibers in various lesions, e. g., glomerular fibrosis, early arteriosclerosis, were easily identifiable by their strong birefringence. The stain was found advantageous for general pathology because it permits direct comparison of familiar staining patterns with the polarization microscopic pitcure. Correlation of polarization microscopic observations with electron microscopic and x-ray diffraction data demonstrated relations between molecular orientation of connective tissue structures and birefringence.