[Histochemical demonstration of pancreatic B-cells by means of the colloidal iron (Hale) reaction (author's transl)].

The stainability of B-cells in islets of Langerhans by means of colloidal iron reaction has been examined using two standard modifications (Graumann resp. Mowry) of the original Hale-reaction. After previous oxidation of the sections with performic acid a strong and selective staining of B-cells was obtained by the use of a colloidal iron reaction based upon Graumann's method. With Mowry's technique B-cells remained unstained. The demonstration of B-cells using a performic acid-colloidal iron reaction has been compared with methods of known selectivity (Aldehyde Fuchsin, Dichlorpseudoisocyanine). By restaining procedures it could be shown that with the three methods the same type of cell i.e. B-cell is stained.