A simple, reliable and inexpensive silver stain for nerve fibers in bleached skin

Abstract

A procedure for silver staining is described which leads to the selective and reliable impregnation of nerve fibers in bleached skin of vertebrates and invertebrates. In combination with osmium, the protocol enhances the staining of secondary sensory cells of mechanosensory and electrosensory organs so that the innervation pattern of each organ and the number of sensory cells per organ can easily be evaluated. The technique can be also used for staining nerve fibers in whole embryos.