The viscosity of the mounting medium is very important. If it is too dilute,
it spreads across the slide too fast, in a half second or less, often
trapping air bubbles.  Also, if it is too dilute, the relatively large
amount of solvent, once it evaporates, will reduce the total volume of the
medium enough that it no longer completely fills the space between the slide
and the coverslip. Air is then drawn under the coverslip to fill the space
voided by the evaporating solvent. If the medium is of proper viscosity it
will spread slowly between slide and coverslip, taking perhaps 3 to 5
seconds to fill the space, with much less tendency to trap air bubbles.
Also, you have more control. You can actually watch the progress of the
spreading medium, and if you see an air bubble forming you can easily remove
it by a little pressure on the coverslip with forceps.

Also, the slide should be moist (but not dripping wet) with the clearing
agent. If the slide dries too much before applying the medium and coverslip,
air bubbles are more likely to form. And if too much clearing agent is
present it will reduce the viscosity of the mounting medium, causing
problems as mentioned above.

> ----------
> From: 	histonet-bounces@lists.utsouthwestern.edu on behalf of Dave
> Johnson
> Sent: 	Friday, August 19, 2005 7:34 AM
> To: 	Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> Subject: 	[Histonet] Mohs coverslippign air bubbles
> 
> Question:
> 
> I have mohs tech in OH that is having a lot of problems with air bubbles 
> when coverslipping.  THey coverslip by hand and they have tried various 
> mouting medias, etc and still are baffled
> 
> Any suggestions
> 
> Dave Johnson
> 
> 
> 
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> Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
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> 

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