Fixation of the Rabbit Pituitary Gland

Abstract

WHILE investigating the cytology and cytochemistry of the adenohypophysis of the female rabbit, it was discovered that the fixation of whole pituitaries by immersion in the fixative was unsatisfactory. The reaction of the basophil cells to the periodic acid–Schiff procedure and to the Gram technique was extremely inconstant. It was clear that the total number of basophils was not being demonstrated and there was often much diffuse coloration of cells the exact nature of which it was difficult to determine. Commonly, also, a peripheral rind of distorted cells was produced, the staining of which was atypical.