Harris Hematoxylin Stain

The extraction of Haematoxylin, which is commonly employed for nuclear staining, was originally derived from Haematoxylin campechianun. Back in 1865, Bohmer introduced the use of hematoxylin for staining biological samples. Later on, in 1903, Mayer made modifications to the formulation, which was subsequently adopted by many others. Even to this day, staining methods such as Harris, Gill, Mayer's, and Weigert's remain in widespread use. Prior to dyeing with hematoxylin, it undergoes oxidation facilitated by metal ions known as mordants. These mordants typically consist of aluminium or iron salts.

In order to be suitable for use in nuclear staining, hematoxylin must undergo an oxidation process to become hematoxylin and be attached to metal ions through a process known as mordanting. The most effective metal ions for mordanting are aluminum or iron salts. This process ensures that the hematoxylin will bind to the tissue and produce a clear and accurate staining result.

Hematoxylin solution is commonly utilized in conventional histological and cytological staining for regression staining. Its binding mechanism involves the positively charged aluminum-oxyhematoxylin complex attaching to the negatively charged phosphate group found in nuclear DNA. As a result of this staining process, a visually appealing blue-purple color is produced.

When performing cytological staining, it is common to use Harris hematoxylin in conjunction with Pasteur. By using this combination, the results can be more accurate and reliable. Harris hematoxylin has specific properties that make it effective for staining certain types of cells, while Pasteur is known for its ability to enhance contrast and visibility of the stained cells. This combination has been used for decades and continues to be a mainstay in cytological staining protocols.