[A spectroscopic study of the effect of the fixative media on dye adsorption by cells and tissues]

Blood smears and liver and kidney tissues were fixed with different agents, stained with thionine and examined spectroscopically by light microscopy. The obtained absorbance spectra provide results which give information about the influence of the used fixative on the quantity of dye-uptake. Moreover some statements about binding states of the dye in the nuclei of cells can be made. The observed phenomena can be explained by 2 effects: 1. Dissoziation of the DNA-histone-complex, resulting in a demasking of additional binding sites. 2. Extraction of DNA, resulting in a decrease of binding sites. The results are discussed in relation to other relevant parameters concerning fixation and staining.