Rita,
        The commercial chemical for softening hard tissue is called Mollifex
and is obtained from BDH .We use it in our lab to help in the cutting of
skin biopsies/fibroids and nail beds ,for example.After trimming the block
we place it in a petri dish with some filter paper soaked in Mollifex
between 10 - 20 minutes .
hope this is of help

Ian Clarke
Cytopath/Histopathology
Craigavon Area Hospital NHS Trust
-----Original Message-----
From: Rita Angel <angelrj@email.uc.edu>
To: histonet@pathology.swmed.edu <histonet@pathology.swmed.edu>
Date: 24 May 2000 19:08
Subject: softening tendon


>Histonetters,
>
>I recently read in a histology book that there are procedures before
>processing tendon or other hard tissue, that will soften these tissues and
>greatly improve the sections you get when cutting.  The book did not give
>this protocol, but mentioned using glycerol, alcohol and aniline oil
>mixtures.  It also mentionened a brand name of "Millifex".  Does anyone
>have a protocol for this type of tissue?  We are sectioning rabbit tendon
>and mouse tendon at this time.  We are just soaking longer in an ice/water
>mixture, but I would like to get better sections if possible.
>Thank you for your help.
>
>Rita Angel
>
>