we are currently engaged in quantitation of different types and anatomic
locations of fat. we want to analyze the adipocytes in terms of their number
per unit volume and the individual cells maximum diameter and from that
infer cell volume.  given that the cells maximum diameter can be up to 200
microns, we want to sample slices of fat in excess of that number.
we initially looked at 200 micron sections of fat frozen in OCT and
sectioned in a cryostat.  this was not adequate.  our cryostat will section
up to 300 microns in thickness and this is the next step.  the sections are
floated on a buffer and viewed at 4X with images being  captured with a
digital camera before analysis. we do not want to mount the sections on
slides as this causes shape distortion (this was our first thought also ---
section, mount, and ORO).  are there any suggestions on equipment and/or
techniques for cutting up to 500 micron sections of fixed or fresh fat.
another possiblity i am looking into this weekend is sterological methods to
determine the informa