What Histological Stains Are Commonly Used for Pig Tissues?
Several histological stains are utilized to highlight different tissue components in pig samples:
Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E): The most common stain, H&E, provides a general overview of tissue structure, staining nuclei blue and cytoplasm pink. Masson's Trichrome: Used to differentiate muscle, collagen, and fibrin, this stain is particularly useful in fibrosis and connective tissue studies. Periodic Acid-Schiff (PAS): Stains carbohydrates and mucopolysaccharides, highlighting structures like basement membranes and glycogen deposits. Silver Stain: Useful for visualizing reticular fibers and nervous tissue structures. Immunohistochemistry (IHC): Employs antibodies to detect specific antigens in tissues, allowing for the study of protein expression patterns.
