A SPECIFIC STAIN FOR IRON USING 4,7-DIPHENYL-1,10-PHENANTHROLINE (BATHOPHENANTHROLINE)

PETER B. HUKILL ¹ and FREDERICK A. PUTT ¹

¹ From the Department of Pathology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut

1. A new histochemical method for staining tissue iron is described, employing the chelating agent 4,7 - diphenyl - 1,10 - phenanthroline (Bathophenanthroline).

2. The method appears to be more sensitive than the classical Prussian blue method, and stains generally the same chemical forms of iron as does the latter. It is specific for iron.

3. The method has the theoretical advantage for histochemical purposes that, unlike the Prussian blue and Turnbull blue methods, it does not make use of an iron containing reagent. There is no possibility of a false positive reaction due to the reagent reacting with itself after oxidation by air or oxidizing agents in tissue.

4. It is recommended for investigative purposes and as a routine histologic stain where small amounts of iron are to be detected.

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