Transmission Electron Microscopy Staining Methods for the Cortex of Human Hair: A Modified Osmium Method and Comparison with Other Stains

April 2011 in “ Journal of Microscopy ”

Duane P. Harland, James A. Vernon, Richard Walls, Joy L. Woods

osmium transmission electron microscopy scalp hair silver nitrate uranyl acetate lead citrate phosphotungstic acid potassium permanganate ammoniacal silver nitrate hair-care treatments

TLDR The modified osmium method improves hair cortex staining for better visualization.

The study described a modified staining method for human hair using transmission electron microscopy, which involved en bloc treatment with a chemical reductant followed by osmium tetroxide. This method improved reagent penetration through a cut fibre end, allowing better visualization of the hair cortex's ultrastructural features. The modified method was compared to other staining techniques, such as en bloc silver nitrate and section stains using uranyl acetate and lead citrate, among others. The study also briefly examined the effects of hair-care treatments on staining quality.

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