Dear Augustin,

We process brain (whole and sliced) including whole Cerebellum and brain
stem on practically a daily basis. Our research covers sheep, rat and mouse
and I have worked with human tissue too. I have always used Chloroform as
the clearing agent and have consistently great results.
The processing schedules obviously change according to the size of the
tissue and we have little problem with fumes as we use a completely enclosed
processor (Leica ASP300) and we have no problem with evaporation.

When working in a clinical lab many years ago we processed post mortum
brains with Xylene,they were awfull to cut,and we all tried our best to
avoid them!

I do use Xylene for all other routine tissues.

As for slide adhesives we use a few, Poly-L-lysine mainly for H&E, Silane
and Chrome Alum (although we don't use Chrome Alum for H&E due to background
staining of the adhesive)

This is just what I have found, and can only comment from my own experience
but hope it helps.
Regards

Michelle McAnulty-Smith
Histology Co-ordinator

NeuronZ Ltd
Auckland
New Zealand.

Tel: 09 367 7167 ext. 7060
Fax: 09 367 7186

E-mail:  michelle.mcanulty-smith@neuronz.com

Dear Netters: I'm needing two opinions from you:

1. What are your thoughts and experience on the use of chloroform as a
clearing agent when processing nervous tissues?

2. We are currently picking up brain sections on slides that haven't been
previously coated with any adhesives. Some time ago we used Mayer's albumin,
but we gave up this one due to its disgusting physical characteristics. What
kind of adhesive substances are you presently using for routine H&E
histopathology?

Thank you in advance

Agustin Jose Venzano Halliburton
DVM- INTA Castelar, Argentina





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