Influence of emulsion type and atmospheric oxygen on the fading of latent image in electron microscopic radioautography.

The intensity of radioautographic reactions in Ilford L4, Sakura NR-H2 and Kodak NTE emulsions was compared after exposure in either dry air or dry helium gas at 4 degrees C to test the stability of latent images in the presence or absence of oxygen. A light proof container is described in which slides bearing radioactive sections coated with the three emulsions were exposed in dry helium at a constant pressure of approximately 0.5 atm. The comparison of air and helium atmospheres during exposure of radioautographs was estimated qualitatively for 125I-labeled thyroid sections stored for several years and, in addition, quantitative data was derived from 3H-labeled methacrylate sections stored from 21 days to 1 year. With the three emulsions under study, the background fog remains low under both exposure conditions at 4 degrees C for as long as several years duration. Using L4 emulsion, similar high grain densities are obtained in air and helium, and therefore, the latent images in L4 emulsion remain stable in the presence of oxygen. In the case of NTE and NR-H2 emulsions, as the exposure time increases, substantially lower reaction intensities are observed in air than in helium. This difference in reaction intensity is evident by 3 weeks with NTE and after 4 weeks with NR-H2. Hence, there is fading of the latent images in the latter emulsions in the presence of oxygen. It is concluded that reliable results may be obtained with the L4 emulsion by exposure of radioautographs in dry air, whereas with the NR-H2 and NTE emulsions, exposure should be in an oxygen-free medium, such as is provided by a dry helium atmosphere.