The osmium-ethyl gallate procedure is superior to silver impregnations for mapping neuronal pathways.
Ganglia processed through the osmium-ethyl gallate procedure (OEG)19 retain more structural integrity than those processed through various silver impregnation methods. However, the OEG method continues to be neglected by most neuroanatomists. Both types of procedures have been used to trace large neuronal tracts, but during silver impregnation the neuropils lose many of their identifying characteristics. We demonstrate here the advantages of the OEG procedure by comparing it with two silver techniques, Rowell's and Holmes's. The OEG method yields consistent and reliable results and is easier to carry out than silver protocols. Most importantly, the better preservation of the neuropils has led to the discovery and study of regional specializations that were previously undetected from silver preparations.
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EM
Leise
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Mulloney
D000818:Animals; D003400:Astacoidea; D005707:Gallic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D005724:Ganglia / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D009420:Nervous System / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D009445:Neuroanatomy / Q000379:methods*; D009992:Osmium; D009993:Osmium Tetroxide; D013194:Staining and Labeling
C048734:ethyl gallate; D009992:Osmium; D005707:Gallic Acid; D009993:Osmium Tetroxide