Ultrastructural cytochemical methods in the study of mouse testicular tissue

Different cytochemical and immunocytochemical techniques employed in processing of mouse testicular tissue at ultrastructural level were compared. Two silver staining procedures applied en block and on ultrathin Lowicryl sections were used to demonstrate acidic argyrophilic nuclear proteins. Both methods give standard results. Silver staining en block gives positivity in the form of fine silver precipitate. Coarser silver aggregates and fine nonspecific reactions of the background result from silver staining on ultrathin sections. The method with alcoholic phosphotungstic acid applied en block was used to demonstrate basic nuclear proteins rich in lysine. The results are confirmed and specified by immunocytochemical demonstration of histones and protamine. Specificity of the reactions is briefly discussed.