Prussian blue technique is prone to yield false negative results in magnetoreception research

Abstract

Overview

Perls's Prussian blue staining technique is a method used in magnetoreception research to detect iron-rich structures in tissues, which serve as indicators of potential magnetoreceptors.

Findings

• The technique was applied to certain biological tissues, especially the upper beak of night-migratory songbirds and other species, finding many stained structures not associated with nerve fibers.
• Surprisingly, Prussian blue did not stain structures in the olfactory rosette of rainbow trout or in magnetotactic bacteria, both of which have been previously identified by other techniques.

Conclusion

The method's inability to reliably detect single-domain magnetite, a magnetic particle, poses significant limitations. This casts doubt on the results of earlier studies that identified magnetic particles using this technique. Nevertheless, it remains useful for detecting contamination from iron-rich dust in tissues.