Sex Chromatin

Sex Chromatin is present in about 30% of cells from the female where as cells from the male do not have the sex chromatin. It is present in the cells of the skin, epithelial cells of the buccal mucosa and in the cells of blood, especially in leukocytes. Smears are conventionally obtained by scrapings of buccal mucosa. The sex chromatin appears as a darkly stained dot in the nucleus. The Barr bodies are normally seen attached to the nuclear membrane of epithelial cells. It is some time used to determine the sex of individual.

Crysl Fast Violet Acetate method for demonstrating Sex Chromatin

Staining Solution: Crysl Violet Acetate: Distilled water: 1.0 g 100 ml

Procedure: 1. Fix smear while still wet in 95% alcohol or equal part of 95% ether and alcohol for 15 min. 2. Transfer to 50% alcohol for a few seconds and then to distilled water. 3. Stain with Crysl fast violet acetate solution for 5 min. 4. Rinse quickly in tap water. 5. Dehydrate with 95% alcohol, then with absolute alcohol. 6. Clear in two changes of xylene and mount in a neutral synthetic resin medium. Result: Sex Chromatin: Deeply stained. Cytoplasm: Faintly stained.