Re: Transporting tissues

From:Bryan Hewlett

Michelle,

I would agree with your feelings.
Fixation in formaldehyde for 24 hours followed by an indefinite time in PBS,
would result in almost total reversal of formaldehyde binding.
There is then the high probability that the substance/s you are interested
in will diffuse into the storage medium.
Far better to ship in the fixative, then control the reversal by extending
the PBS wash time as necessary( 20-30 days washing will remove up to 90% of
the formaldehyde).
( see; Helander, K. Kinetic studies of formaldehyde binding in tissue.
Biotechnic &Histochemistry: 1994. 69(3); p177-179.)
Tony Henwood's suggestion of extending the fixation time( I would suggest
5-7 days), then shipping dampened in 60% glycerol, is also a very viable
one.

Regards,

Bryan

Bryan R. Hewlett
Technical Specialist
Anatomical Pathology
Hamilton Regional Laboratory Medicine Program
Ontario, Canada

----- Original Message -----
From: "Michelle Mcanulty-Smith - NeuronZ Ltd."

To: 
Sent: Sunday, June 30, 2002 11:54 PM
Subject: Transporting tissues


> Hi histo folk,
> I have had a question raised about the transporting of tissues in
> Paraformaldehyde.
> We have some samples being sent from overseas that are going to be fixed
in
> 4% Paraformaldehyde. The concern is with them staying in PFA and becoming
> 'over fixed'  and the suggestion is that they should be fixed in 4% PFA
for
> 24 hours then left in PBS till they arrive here which could be weeks or
> months and we have no idea of the temperature at which they may be stored!
> My feeling is to leave them in Paraformaldehyde till they get here then
wash
> with PBS. I have gone through the over fixing business (as discussed
> recently on the histonet) but others thoughts or past experience welcomed.
>
> Thanks
> Michelle.
>
> Michelle McAnulty-Smith
> Histology Co-ordinator
>
> NeuronZ Ltd
> Tel: 09 367 7167 ext. 7060
> Fax: 09 367 7186
>
> E-mail:  michelle.mcanulty-smith@neuronz.com
>
>
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