Eliminating the chloroform increases the relative concentration of alcohol,
which may increase the rate of cell shrinkage.  If the latter occurs, intact
cells may shrink so much that chromatin details become indiscernible.  While
hypothetically possible, such excessive shrinkage may occur in fact.  If it
does, then limit the immersion time to a few minutes.  Simply be aware of
the possibility.

Gary Gill

-----Original Message-----
From: Gayle Callis [mailto:gcallis@montana.edu]
Sent: Wednesday, August 07, 2002 10:02 AM
To: Roy Ellis; histonet@pathology.swmed.edu
Subject: RE: Carnoy's fixative II


Roy, 

Thanks.  

The Carnoys I works as effectively as the Carnoys II.  Taking
toxic/carcinogenic choloroform out does not affect fixation, since it is
not a fixative anyway.  It is there to remove lipids from fatty tissues,
and for safety's sake, we prefer Carnoys I, and have had equivalent,
excellent results. 

  At 08:26 AM 8/7/02 +0930, you wrote:
>Atoska
>According to Lillie, Histologic Technic and Practical Histochemistry, 3rd
>edition 1965. Carnoy II is the alcohol, chloroform, acetic acid mixture
that
>is generally referred to as Carnoy's fluid. Carnoy I is an alcohol, acetic
>acid mixture minus the chloroform.
>Regards
>Roy

Gayle Callis
MT,HT,HTL(ASCP)
Research Histopathology Supervisor
Veterinary Molecular Biology - Marsh Lab
Montana State University - Bozeman
19th and Lincoln St
Bozeman MT 59717-3610

406 994-6367 (lab with voice mail)
406 994-4303 (FAX)

email: gcallis@montana.edu