What is the Difference Between Harris and Mayer’s Haematoxylin?

Harris and Mayer's hematoxylin are both used as stains in histology, but they have different properties and are used in different types of staining. The main differences between Harris and Mayer's hematoxylin are:

1. Mordant content: Harris's hematoxylin has a high mordant content, while Mayer's hematoxylin has a higher dye content. This difference in mordant content results in Harris's hematoxylin binding more firmly to the tissues and producing enhanced nuclear staining.
2. Staining nature: Harris hematoxylin is used in regressive staining, while Mayer's hematoxylin is used in progressive staining. In regressive staining, Harris hematoxylin over-stains the tissue and requires differentiation to remove excess stain. In contrast, Mayer's hematoxylin does not over-stain the tissue and has a lower hematoxylin concentration.
3. Oxidizing agent: Harris and Mayer's hematoxylin differ in the oxidizing agent they contain, but their mordant substance is the same. Mayer's hematoxylin contains alcohol, while Harris does not.

In summary, Harris's hematoxylin is used in regressive staining and has a high mordant content, resulting in firm binding to tissues and enhanced nuclear staining. On the other hand, Mayer's hematoxylin is used in progressive staining and has a higher dye content, with a lower concentration of hematoxylin.

Comparative Table: Harris vs Mayer’s Haematoxylin

Harris and Mayer's haematoxylin are two types of haematoxylin solutions used in histology labs for staining tissue components. The main differences between them are as follows:

Both Harris and Mayer's haematoxylin solutions use aluminum as the mordant salt to link with the tissue components. Haematoxylin is a basic dye extracted from the tree Haematoxylon campechianum, which is positively charged and binds with negatively charged substances such as DNA and RNA, staining them in a violet color.