The Qualitative Use of Cason's One-step Triple Stain on Hydra

• Published in: CYTOLOGIA Vol. 41; no. 3-4; pp. 741 - 748
• Main Authors: Benthin, Michael G., Davis, Lowell E.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Tokyo Japan Mendel Society, International Society of Cytology 01.01.1976; Japan Science and Technology Agency
• ISSN: 0011-4545; 1348-7019
• DOI: 10.1508/cytologia.41.741

Cason's one-step triple stain for connective tissue yields a wide range of coloration when adapted to Hydra. Previous staining methods were either time-consuming or did not adequately contrast the mesoglea, cell types, or cell inclusions. Following Bouin's or Zenker's fixative, one observes blue mesoglea apposed to red muscle fibers. Immature cnidoblasts are a light blue color; mature ones have a dark blue capsule with red coils or barb. Epithelio-muscular droplets are blue, whereas glandulomuscular droplets as well as digestive cell inclusions are orange. Nerve cells are grey. Nuclei are pink with red nucleoli, although interstitial cells and gland cells have more purplish nuclei. Mucous cells are blue after Bouin's and light lavender after Zenker's; gland cell droplets are magneta and stain well only after Zenker's. For photography on black and white film, the use of filters is demonstrated to enhance the density of desired cell types.