A new rapid silver impregnation for neuronal bodies on methacrylate sections.

A simple and rapid method for the impregnation of neuronal bodies applicable to methacrylate embedded sections is described in the present paper. Sections of 10-12 microns in thickness were attached to slides, placed in mordant for 1 min, rinsed in distilled water and impregnated in ammoniacal silver solution for 1 min. They were then rinsed in absolute ethanol for 30 s and developed in 50% formalin. Sections were toned in 0.25% gold chloride, reduced in 10% oxalic acid and fixed in 5% sodium thiosulfate. After washing, the sections were dehydrated through 90% and absolute ethanol, cleared in eucalyptol, and mounted in the usual way. When this method is used most of the neuronal somata and proximal dendritic trees are impregnated. Frequently some glial cell are also weakly impregnated but their density does not obscure the neurons.