Katie:

At what thickness were they cut, 4 - 6 microns or thicker? Did you check the
end-point of decalcification with 5 %ammonium oxalate solution? What type of
paraffin do you use to emded the tissues? Were they cut using a steel knife
or a disposable blade? What is the temperature of your slide warming
station?
All these factors can effect the quality of your bony sections. Donna
Montague, UAMS Orthopaedic Research

-----Original Message-----
From: Katie B [mailto:bresee98@yahoo.com]
Sent: Friday, March 26, 1999 9:43 AM
To: Histonet Server
Subject: Wavy Boney Tissues


I have sections that are of cross sections of rat heads
and a recent batch came back with the tissues all wavy
on the slide.  They were fixed in Zinc Formalin (4d)
then decalcified in 13% Formic Acid for 4d.  The bone
is all intact in the section (no shattering, cutting
was easy) so I think the tissues were adequately
decalcified.  However, our protocol calls for a 4 to 7
day decal, and these rat heads were a bit on the larger
side, so I'm wondering if the tissues were just
slightly under decalcified.  Any suggestions I can pass
onto our histo lab to help them achieve flat
sections??

===
Catherine "Katie" Bresee Bennett
Laboratory for Experimental Pathology
Department of Veterinary Pathology
Michigan State University

*new* e-mail: bresee98@yahoo.com

_________________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Get your free @yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com