Table 2

HE staining procedure

H&E staining
Reagents:

  • Meyer’s hemalum stock solution: 1× working solution according to manufacturer’s protocol

  • Eosin working solution: 300 mL eosin solution, 600 mL distilled water, 0.1 mL acetic acid 100%

  • 1% HCl in 70% ethanol

Staining procedure (at room temperature):Time
Stain with Meyer’s hemalum working solution10 min
Rinse in distilled water15 s
Differentiate in 1%HCl/70%ethanol (under gentle shaking)5 s
Rinse in running tap water (blue-stained nuclei)10 min
Incubate with eosin working solution15 s
Rinse in distilled water15 s
Dehydrate in 96% ethanol5 min
Rinse in 100% ethanol5 min
Incubate in xylene* or xylene substitutes (eg, N-butyle acetate)
*xylene covers three isoforms: xylene, xylol or dimethylbenzene		5 min
Seal the slides with permanent mounting medium (eg, Eukitt or Permount) and a coverslip