A COMPARISON BETWEEN THIONIN-EOSIN STAINING AND HEMATOXYLIN-EOSIN TECHNIQUE FOR SHOWING NEURONS

Objective To explore an ideal method for showing the histological structure of the neurons. Methods Cross sections of spinal cord removed from neonate cows were stained with thionin eosin (H E) or hematoxylin eosin respectively to show the cellular structure of the neurons. Results With thionin eosin staining, the neuron demonstrated a single, large and pale nucleus with a distinct nucleolus, and the Nissl bodies appeared as distinct basophilic masses which distributed symmetrically within the perikaryon and dendrites. When stained with H E, the nucleus was not clear, Nissl bodies were not distinct and the axon and dendrites could not be distinguished. Conclusion Thionin eosin staining technique is more sensitive than H E method in showing characters of neurons under light microscope.