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Ruthenium Tetroxide: A Complementary Fixative and Stain to Osmium Tetroxide

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 March 2018

Henry Eichelberger*
Affiliation:
Binghamton Universtiy- SUNY

Extract

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Ruthenium tetroxide (RuO4), which is a stronger oxidizing agent than osmium tetroxide (OSO4), reacts well with some of the more polar lipids that fail to show a reaction with OsO4 . it has been demonstrated that the use of RuO4 can overcome the failure of OsC4 to visualize epidermal intercellular lamellae. RuO4 reacts strongly with both saturated and unsaturated lipid molecules, as well as with proteins, glycogen, and monosaccharides. RuO4 fixed membranes appear thicker than those fixed with OsO4 do4.

RuO4 penetrates tissue very slowly and sometimes uneven, patchy preservation may occur. The use of vibratome sections is recommended to optimize penetration of the RuO4 fixative.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Microscopy Society of America 1999

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