[Azoindoxyl methods for the investigation of hydrolases. IV. Suitability of various diazonium salts (author's transl)].

Using fresh frozen, freeze-dried or cryostate sections from aldehyde fixed rat tissues 13 diazonium salts were tested as simultaneous coupling reagents for the localization of acid, neutral and alkaline hydrolases with azo indoxyl methods. Hexazotized new fuchsine and/or Fast blue B are the diazonium salts of choice for the demonstration of acid beta-galactosidase, neuraminidase, beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase, acid phosphatase, and non-specific esterase followed by hexazotized p-rosaniline. Fast blue VB, BB and RR and Fast violet B are recommended for the investigation of alkaline phosphatase and lactase, Fast garnet GBC for acid beta-galactosidase, glucosaminidase and lactase. Fast red B, RC, RL and TR and Fast black K can only be employed for lactase studies. The exact concentration of the coupling reagent depends on the activity of the enzyme and the organ imvestigated. On the average 0.01-0.02 ml unstable diazonium salt/ml and 0.3--1 microgram stable diazonium salt/ml are sufficient for the correct localization of these hydrolases. Freeze-dried cryostat sections yield the best results in the demonstration of lactase and alkaline phosphatase independent on the coupling reagent used. Sections from formaldehyde or glutaraldehyde fixed organs are superior for the localization of the other hydrolases; an exception is the investigation of acid beta-galactosidase and glucosaminidase with Fast garnet GBC. Then, excellent results are obtained also with freeze-dried material. Fresh frozen sections are suitable for the localization of lactase with hexazotized new fuchsine or p-rosaniline and of alkaline phosphatase with Fast blue VB and BB or violet B. The total activity of acid, neutral and alkaline hydrolases can be investigated using semipermeable membranes in combination with all unstable and stable diazonium salts of choice. Reliable osmification of the azoindoxyl dye is only possible if hexazotized p-rosaniline is employed for coupling; without further posttreatment all azoindoxyl dyes are extracted by ethanol, isopropanol or xylol. 7 incubation media are given for the demonstration of hydrolases with azoindoxyl methods at the level of light microscopy for routine studies and typical examples for the application of these methods are presented. A modified procedure is described for the freeze-drying of cryostat sections with the Edwards-Pearse tissue dryer EPD3.