On the birefringence of formazans
Seidler, E.; Scheuner, G.
Zentralblatt für Allgemeine Pathologie U. Pathologische Anatomie 124(4): 291-294
1980
ISSN/ISBN: 0044-4030 PMID: 7445794 Document Number: 161684
The enzyme succinate dehydrogenase was demonstrated histochemically in organs of rats, especially in experimentally infarcted hearts. 88 tetrazolium salts were used as indicators, the resulting formazans were examined for birefringence. Formazans with cristalline shapes show birefringence, but formazans of amorphous character do not. In the atypic species of nitrogroup-substituted monoformazans it is possible to form an oriented association to cell structures in spite of an amorphous precipitation. Therefore, anomalous colours of polarization, and dichroism is observed. Relations are discussed between shape of formazan deposits, polarity of formazans, and the occurrence of optical anisotropism.