title: Optimum pH for nuclear sex identification using quinacrine.
abstract: Preparations of quinacrine stained interphase nuclei from buccal smears and hair root sheaths were mounted in MacIlvaine's buffer at various pH's in an attempt to obtain optimum differentiation of X- and Y-chromatin. Relatively high pH (5-8) was associated with intense nuclear fluorescence. Background nuclear fluorescence decreased with lower pH's (2-4), revealing distinct granules. X-chromatin is best differentiated against this decreased background, while positive identification of Y-chromatin is more certain in the absence of confusing granules. Hence optimum pH for X-chromatin screening in quinacrine stained preparations is approximately 3.0, that for Y-chromatin screening 5.5.
mesh_terms: D002467:Cell Nucleus; D002610:Cheek / Q000166:cytology; D005260:Female; D006197:Hair / Q000166:cytology; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008297:Male; D011796:Quinacrine; D012728:Sex Chromatin; D012732:Sex Determination Analysis
chemical_list: D011796:Quinacrine