Mast cells were identified by light microscopy in various oral mucosal sites (tongue, cheek, palate, gingiva) of the rabbits. Materials were fixed in Camoy, IFAA, formalin solutions and embedded in paraffin. Four consecutive sections were taken from each sample. The first section was stained by Crossmann’s triple staining method, the second and third with toluidine blue, for 1 minute and 7 days and tie last section was double stained in astra blue safranine. Mast cells in these sections were counted by using an ocular micrometer and for each field mast cell population is calculated. Statistical comparisons were made for each fixation and staining method combination. Mast cells were not identified in formalin fixed sections but were shown with toluidine blue after a seven day staining period and astra blue safranine. The average mast cell numbers were compared according to the fixation and staining methods. The sections fixed in Camoy solution and stained with toluidine blue for 7 days were demonstrated as the appropriate methods for identifying the rabbit oral mucosa mast cells. There was no statistical difference in the number of mast cells between the various sites of oral mucosa in Camoy fixed sections. However, in IFAA fixed sections there were more mast cells observed in gingiva than the other sites, either with toluidine blue stain or with astra blue/safranine stain.
Key words: Rabbit, oral mucosa, mast cell.
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