Which reagent is used as the reducer in Gomori's reticulin stain?

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Multiple Choice

Which reagent is used as the reducer in Gomori's reticulin stain?

In Gomori's reticulin stain, you visualize the fine network of reticular fibers by impregnating them with silver and then converting those silver ions to metallic silver. The reagent that does this reduction is formalin. Formalin (formaldehyde in solution) donates electrons to silver ions, turning Ag+ into metallic silver right at the reticular fibers, so a distinct black reticular framework appears against the lighter background. The other reagents have different roles: ferric ammonium sulfate acts as a sensitizer to help silver deposition, sodium thiosulfate serves as a fixer to remove unreacted silver, and potassium permanganate would oxidize rather than reduce. Thus formalin is the reducer.

In Gomori's reticulin stain, you visualize the fine network of reticular fibers by impregnating them with silver and then converting those silver ions to metallic silver. The reagent that does this reduction is formalin. Formalin (formaldehyde in solution) donates electrons to silver ions, turning Ag+ into metallic silver right at the reticular fibers, so a distinct black reticular framework appears against the lighter background. The other reagents have different roles: ferric ammonium sulfate acts as a sensitizer to help silver deposition, sodium thiosulfate serves as a fixer to remove unreacted silver, and potassium permanganate would oxidize rather than reduce. Thus formalin is the reducer.

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