Safranin O and toluidine blue stain the same things: all acidic substances,
not just glycosaminoglycans.  Unlike alum hematoxylin, which stains
nucleoproteins, safranin and toluidine blue stain nucleic acids.

Allen A. Smith, Ph.D.
Barry University
School of Graduate Medical Sciences
    Podiatric Medicine and Surgery
Miami Shores, Florida  33161-6695 

-----Original Message-----
From: K. Bowden [mailto:kbowden@ucsd.edu]
Sent: Thursday, June 27, 2002 4:21 PM
To: John Baker; histonet@pathology.swmed.edu
Subject: Re: Fwd: histonet


Safranin O stains the glyocosaminoglycans which is what the tol blue (pH
4.1) stains.  If you don't have glyocosaminoglycans present then
Safranin O with not stain.  I find that a good H&E shows the line of
demarcation best.

Karen Bowden
UCSD
Orthopedic Department



John Baker wrote:

> Histonetters:
>    I have a question regarding a staining technique:
> >Does a saf O/fast green counterstain add anything to a tol blue
> >stain?  I am evaluating dimensions of a growth plate and want a
> >readily identifiable demarcation between cartilage and bone as well
> >as between the various layers of the growth plate. Distinct nuclei
> >would be an added bonus.  Thank you very muc in advance or any
> >responses.
> >
> >Dr. Ryan Frank    via John Baker
>
> --
> John A. Baker
> The University of Michigan
> Orthopaedic Research Laboratories
> Histology Unit
> 400 North Ingalls, G160
> Ann Arbor, MI 48109-0486
> Main lab office phone:734-763-9674
> Histology office:734-936-1635