Skip to main content
Journal of Nematology logoLink to Journal of Nematology
. 1995 Jun;27(2):244–248.

A Rapid and Simple Method for Staining Lipid in Fixed Nematodes

Wm Terrell Stamps, Marc J Linit
PMCID: PMC2619596  PMID: 19277286

Abstract

A method is described for staining lipid in fourth-stage dispersal juvenile nematodes fixed with formal-acetic fixative (FA4:1). Bursaphelenchus xylophilus fourth-stage dispersal juveniles were fixed with hot FA4:1 for 24 hours, excess fixative was removed, and a solution of saturated oil red O in 96% ethanol added and allowed to sit for 25 minutes at 60 C. Excess oil red O was removed, nematodes were washed twice with 70% ethanol, and were processed to pure glycerin. Lipid droplets within the nematodes were viewed by light microscopy and appeared as dark red spheres of various sizes. Computerized image analysis was used to quantify lipid droplet area.

Keywords: Bursaphelenchm xylophilus, pine wilt, pinewood nematode, oil red O, lipid, staining

Full Text

The Full Text of this article is available as a PDF (734.7 KB).


Articles from Journal of Nematology are provided here courtesy of Society of Nematologists

RESOURCES