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Recuperation and improvement of chromosome preparations stained with silver nitrate

 

 

S. SanchezI,III; J. CanoII; A.S. FenocchioI

IDepto. de Genética, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Químicas y Naturales, UNaM, Félix de Azara 1552, 3300 Posadas, Misiones, Argentina. Fax: 00-54-752-25414. Send correspondence to A.S.F.
IIDepto. de Biologia Celular y Genética, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Málaga, Espana.
IIIDepto. de Producción Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, INICNE, SGCyT-UNNE, Sgto. Cabral 2139, 3400 Corrientes, Argentina.

 

 

ABSTRACT

Both periodic acid and photographic reagents have been used to remove the silver nitrate residues from cytological preparations. We used potassium ferricyanide to remove AgNO3 salts in cases of excessive chromosome impregnation. This method produced partial decolorization, with contrast enhancement. Counterstaining with Giemsa also promoted a better contrast between chromosome arms and NORs, which were preserved and retained a dark color. Application of this procedure to chromosome preparations treated sequentially for CBG banding/AgNO3 staining promoted complete decolorization of C+ regions, leading to "reverse" C-banding, generally with high contrast.

Keywords: chromosome; silver nitrate; NORs.

 

 

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