Distribution of copper in biopsied canine liver

Biopsied canine liver tissues were investigated histochemically by electron microscopy to demonstrate copper localization. The samples were fixed and stained with the modified sulfide-silver method with a combination of iron and zinc removal. Using this method, the hepatic copper, even at a low concentration of 30 micrograms/g dry weight, was detectable. Copper was found in the hepatocyte lysosomes or in the cytoplasm as electrondense granules.