EMS Technical Data Sheets

Kluver-Barrera Method for Myelin and Nerve Cells

EMS Catalog #: 26681

Fixation:

Formalin, 10% Buffered Neutral (#15740)

Sections:

Paraffin @ 15 to 20 microns

Staining: 

  1. Deparaffinize and hydrate to 95% alcohol.
  2. Leave in Luxol Fast Blue Solution (#26681-01) in 56°C oven overnight.
  3. Rinse off excess stain with 95% alcohol.
  4. Rinse in distilled water.
  5. Differentiate the slides singly in Lithium Carbonate Solution (#26681-04) for 30 seconds.
  6. Continue differentiation in 70% alcohol until the gray matter is clear and white matter sharply defined.
  7. Check microscopically.  Repeat the differentiation if necessary starting at step 5.
  8. When differentiation is complete, place in distilled water.
  9. When all slides have been collected in distilled water, add fresh distilled water.
  10. Counterstain in (Cresyl Violet Acetate),Working solution for 6 minutes.
    1. To prepare working solution add 15 drops of Acetic Acid, 10% (#26681-03) to 100 ml of
      Cresyl Violet Acetate, 0.1% (#26681-02) just before use. Filter.
  11. Rinse in 2 changes of 95% alcohol.
  12. Continue the dehydration through two changes of absolute ethyl alcohol and xylene, two changes each, for 2 minutes.
  13. Mount with resinous medium.

Results:

Myelin, including phospholipids Blue to Green cells
Cells and cell products Pink to violet

References:

Kluver, H., and Barrera, E. : A method for the combined staining of cells and fibers in the Nervous system.  J. Nueropath. Exp. Neurol. 12:400-403, 1953.

AFIP, Lab Methods in Histothechnology, ed. Edna B. Prophet, Bob Mills. Jacquelyn B. Arrmyl, Leslie H. Sobin, M.D. Wash, D.C. American Registry of Pathology, c. 1992, p. 94-95.

Product Information

Kluver-Barrera Method for Myelin and Nerve Cells