Niagara Blue 4B As A Fast Simple Stain for the Adenohypophysis

For differentiation of cells of the adenohypophysis, the Niagara blue 4B method requires no special preliminary fixative nor very fresh tissue, and requires no more time than routine hematoxylin-eosin (H-E) staining. The method requires fixation in 10% formalin. After processing to paraffin wax, deparaffinise and hydrate the sections and stain in 1% aqueous Niagara blue 4B solution for 2 min. Stain afterwards with hematoxylin for 1 min then differentiate, wash, dehydrate, clear and mount. This method can be used also for staining old HE slides by removing the covers, applying the Niagara blue 4B and restaining with eosin. The Niagara blue 4B combined with H-E gives the best and most colorful result. This method allows special staining of the adenohypophysis from human post-mortem material to become routine.