A simple method of staining the synaptonemal complex with Coomassie brilliant blue for light microscopy.

A simple technique for staining synaptonemal complexes with Coomassie brilliant blue for light microscopy has been described. The testis cells were exposed to prolonged hypotonic treatment and dropped on Formvar-coated slides. Following fixation with paraformaldehyde the slides were stained with Coomassie brilliant blue for 15 min to 1 h at room temperature and rinsed in distilled water. For its simplicity and rapidity this technique may serve as an effective alternative to silver staining for light microscopic observation of synaptonemal complexes.