RE: Davidson's fixative and PAS staining

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From:"KOSIAK, Matthew D." <Matthew.KOSIAK@rp-rorer.com>
To:"'Histonet@pathology.swmed.edu'" <Histonet@Pathology.swmed.edu>
Reply-To:
Date:Wed, 30 Jun 1999 10:12:52 -0400
Content-Type:text/plain

Kate,

Thanks for your comments. 

At our site we have done side by side comparison of 10% NBF, Davidson's, and
Bouins for testes [large and small species].  The pathologist prefer
Davidson's fixative for routine H&E sections of testes.  Chemically, acetic
acid is known as weak acid and is acting as a catalyst to the solution of
NBF, 100% ETOH, and distilled water.  Acetic acid is not in excess in the
Davidson's fixative solution, so your assumption of acetic acid acting as a
fixative is incorrect.  The mixture of all three chemicals is acting as the
fixative, not acetic acid alone.  The original question is directed more
towards the chemical reactions of Davidson's fixative in combination with
the testes towards a more acidophilic stain?  I agree with your comments
about Bouins, but I am trying to stay away from the handling of Bouins in
the laboratory.

Matt Kosiak
Rhone-Poulenc Rorer




> ----------
> From: 	Kate_E_Rhodes@sbphrd.com[SMTP:Kate_E_Rhodes@sbphrd.com]
> Sent: 	Wednesday, June 30, 1999 9:22 AM
> To: 	KOSIAK, Matthew D.
> Subject: 	Re: Davidson's fixative and PAS staining
> 
> Matt-Why on earth would you want to use Davidson's on testis??  The acetic
> acid would surely cause damage to cell structures.  Have you tried Bouin's
> or just plain old NBF?  Everyone knows that Bouin's gives the best results
> for the spermatogenic detail.
> 
> If you have any questions, feel free to give me a call.
> 
> Kate Rhodes
> SmithKline Beecham Pharmaceutical Co.
> 610-270-7340
> 
> 



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