Optimization of Picrosirius red staining protocol to determine collagen fiber orientations in vaginal and uterine cervical tissues by Mueller polarized microscopy.

摘要: Polarized microscopy provides unique information on anisotropic samples. In its most complete implementation, namely Mueller microscopy, this technique is well suited for the visualization of fibrillar proteins orientations, with collagen in first place. However, intrinsic optical anisotropy unstained tissues has to be enhanced by Picrosirius Red (PR) staining enable measurements. work, we compared orientation mapping provided and second harmonic generation (SHG) microscopies PR stained samples vaginal uterine cervix tissues. SHG a multiphoton that highly specific collagen, was taken as "gold standard" visualization. We showed can safely used determine cervical tissue. contrast, samples, revealed orientations not only col- lagen but also other structures. Thus fully which necessitates comparison every type addition study specificity, determined optimal values parameters. found times 5 min, sample thicknesses mm were sufficient Microsc. Res. Tech. 00:000-000, 2015. V C 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.