The Effect of Different Fixatives on the Golgi Structure Examined by Immersion Refractometry in Phase Contrast Illumination

Abstract

The effect of different fixatives on the location, shape and size of the Golgi structure of the cells of the proximal convoluted tubuli of the kidneys of frogs (Rana temporaria L.) was investigated with immersion refractometry by phase contrast illumination.
On the strength of those examinations one may say that the location, shape and size of the Golgi vacuoles and of the Golgi rods or canaliculi, which seemed to be empty spaces, distinguish with variations after the application of different fixatives.
Ten per cent neutral formol, absolute alcohol and Schaffer's alcohol formol are drastic reagents. They cause that the Golgi elements have the appearance of expanded spaces of vacuoles and canaliculi which take up nearly the whole of the supranuclear region of the cells. Using Helly's fluid as fixative leaves the size of the Golgi structure small. In some cells it has the appearance of small vacuoles, smooth or crenated rods and narrow canaliculi. In others its shape is canalicular elongated and forms a delicate network located on the top of the nucleus. This network of the Golgi structure is like a network of the Golgi apparatus, obtained by silver salts method.
Helly's fluid seems to be most suitable fixative for examination of the empty spaces of the Golgi structure of fixed and unstained cells by refractometric technique in phase contrast microscopy.