A technique for demonstrating of dehydrogenase activities in Epon-embedded, semithin sections of the nervous tissue

Experiments were performed aiming at establishing optimal conditions for demonstrating the activity of dehydrogenases in Epon-embedded, semithin sections. Small fragments of the nervous tissue were incubated 1, 4, 10 and 24 h 37, 20 and 4 degrees C in the presence of NBT or TC NBT. The incubated fragments were embedded in Epon and semithin sections prepared thereof. The activities of succinate dehydrogenase and of alpha-glycerol dehydrogenase was evaluated. The experiments have shown that semithin, Epon-embedded sections may be used for demonstration and cytological localization of respiratory enzymes. Various experimental conditions were tried. Optimal results obtained when unfixed tissue fragments were incubated for 24 h at 4 degrees C.