title: Localization of the synaptonemal complex under the light microscope.
abstract: The use of osmium tetroxide fixation followed by postreatment with p-phenylenediamine gives an opportunity of locating the synaptonemal complex (SC) under the light microscope in mouse testes and Allium cepa anthers. When semi-thin sections from these materials were observed under phase contrast optics or dark field microscopy, fine threads in the pachytene nuclei were clearly visible. Post-staining of semi-thin sections with ammoniacal silver increased the contrast of the SC and allowed for observations using a bright field illumination. Ultrathin sections of osmium tetroxide/p-phenylenediamine treated material showed that, under the electron microscope, this technique stains preferentially elements of the synaptonemal complex, while the surrounding chromatin remains unstained.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D002875:Chromosomes / Q000648:ultrastructure; D003584:Cytological Techniques; D008297:Male; D008540:Meiosis; D051379:Mice; D008853:Microscopy; D009993:Osmium Tetroxide; D010655:Phenylenediamines; D010944:Plants / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013194:Staining and Labeling; D013737:Testis / Q000648:ultrastructure
chemical_list: D010655:Phenylenediamines; D009993:Osmium Tetroxide