Immunohistochemical localisation of the thymidine analogue 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine in insect tissue: preservation of cellular ultrastructure.

The incorporation of the thymidine analogue 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine and its detection by a specific monoclonal antibody, is proving a valuable tool in the study of cell kinetics and proliferation. To date, however, its use has been largely restricted to the light microscope level. The fixatives and processing required do not preserve the cellular ultrastructure. This paper details an immunohistochemical procedure which retains both structural details and preserves sufficient antigenicity for the use of the monoclonal at the electron microscopical level.