A modified glyoxylic acid-formaldehyde technique for histofluorescence of catecholamine-containing neurons in cryostat sections of the insect brain.
A simple and rapid method is described to demonstrate catecholamine-containing neurons in the insect brain by cryostat sectioning and immersion in an ice-cold SPG (sucrose-potassium phosphate-glyoxylic acid) solution. The fluorescent yield achieved can be further intensified by heating the preparations with formaldehyde vapors. The advantages of the method as compared to the original Falck-Hillarp method are speed, simplicity, and a very distinct photostabile fluorophore. The preparations can be stored for several weeks. The drawback is a lower sensitivity than the Falck-Hillarp method provides.
D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000166:cytology*; D001923:Brain Chemistry; D002395:Catecholamines / Q000032:analysis*; D003058:Cockroaches; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D005557:Formaldehyde; D006038:Glyoxylates; D008297:Male; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology*; D013194:Staining and Labeling
D002395:Catecholamines; D006038:Glyoxylates; D005557:Formaldehyde; C031150:glyoxylic acid