The PAS staining procedure involves several steps:
Fixation: Tissues are fixed to preserve their structure. Common fixatives include formalin. Deparaffinization and Hydration: Paraffin-embedded sections are deparaffinized and rehydrated. Oxidation: Sections are treated with periodic acid to oxidize the carbohydrates. Schiff Reagent: The oxidized sections are then treated with Schiff reagent, leading to the formation of a magenta color. Counterstaining: Hematoxylin is commonly used as a counterstain to provide contrast. Dehydration and Mounting: Sections are dehydrated and mounted for microscopic examination.
