Date:          Tue, 26 Jan 1999 11:41:55 -0600 (CST)
From:          Carolyn Pressman <cpress@gsbs3.gs.uth.tmc.edu>
Subject:       Fixation and embedding of adult murine eyes
To:            HistoNet Server <HistoNet@Pathology.swmed.edu>

Dear Carolyn,

Many many years ago I worked for a specialist eye pathologist, we
used formaldehyde which contained 1% cetavlon (a type of surface
tension reducer)  I can see no reason why something like this (Tween)
would not do the same thing today.  The fixation was for 24 hours
when we cut a small window in the orb, away from the critical area we
were examining and fixed for another 24 hours.  I thought at the time
the fixation was excessive.  We performed several trichrome type
stains with no apparent ill effects to the staining.

This may prove helpful.

Bill
________________________________________________________________

What is the best fixative to use for adult murine eyes?  Does anyone
have any good protocals?  I have found through trial and error that
fixing in neutral buffered formalin only works ok if I fix for 2
days.  I embed in parafin and then section at 7 um.  Most of the
architecture of the eye is intact, but the lens always tears or has
holes in it.  Is there a way to get around this problem?  Is
embedding in plastic a better way to do this? Carolyn Pressman
MD Anderson Cancer Center
University of Texas--Houston

Bill Sinai
Department Manager
Tissue Pathology
ICPMR Westmead Hospital
WESTMEAD NSW AUSTRALIA
Phone 61+2+9845 7774  Fax 61+2+9687 2330