[Comparison of two means of identifying satellite associations in man]

Two methods of identifying satellite associations were compared in ten normal donors. Conventional Giemsa stain proved to identify by 31% less of 3-chromosomal associations, by 50% less of 4- and 5-, and by 66.6% less of 6-chromosomal associations than in staining with ammoniacal silver, whereas the number of 2-chromosomal associations was by 10% greater, this conditioning the prevalence of small associations. Silver staining used to expose intersatellite associations revealed acrocentric chromosomes mutually oriented, placed close to one another, but without any intersatellite connection. In Giemsa-stained preparations these are considered to be associating, which increases the number of multiple groups. Both errors of the conventional Giemsa method cannot be corrected. Identification of associations according to intersatellite connections is free of these errors after silver staining.