>  Hello,  An important point for anyone considering alternative
fixatives to take note of is that according to most Spec Sheets for
antibodies they are optimized for <bold>FORMALIN FIXED</bold>,
(sometimes bouins too), paraffin embedded tissues. When the
manufacturers say this what they mean is that  this is the only
way they have tested these products, any variation to this may alter
results.  We have noticed that some fixatives do not work for
immunohistochemistry studies. Blocks are sent to us from all over the
country, and at times clients do not mention that they are using other
fixatives. When the results come out inconclusive one is left to wonder
weather it is due to the fixative used.  An example of this is Prefer
fixative by Anatech. This fixative is the biggest thorn in my side.
KI67 will not work with this antibody when treated as the other slides.
If there is a procedural alteration (e.g. no epitope retrieval) then
what kind of control should be run with it? Should all labs have a bank
of tissue of every conceivable type fixed in every fixative available?
My answer is that if there is any desire to do any immuno studies stick
to the Formalin based fixatives. OK, OK I'm getting off the soap box
now Amos Brooks 

>Carla Aiwohi wrote: 

>Is anyone using/has used Histochoice tissue fixative produced by
Amresco (Solon, OH, USA)?  I have received some info from the
vendor but still have some questions for Histonetters. 

>1.  Have you noticed any staining intensity differences in
GMA-embedded tissues  (we use Technovit 7100) when fixed in 10% NBF or
Histochoice? 2.  Have you used Histochoice to fix animal tissues?
3.  Have you used Histochoice for fixing tissue for electron
microscopy? 

>Any comments about this fixative are appreciated. 

>Thank you very much, Carla Aiwohi Western Fisheries Research Center
Seattle, WA 

> 


 Used it and dropped it (mouse tissue). Fixation was not adequate for
our purposes-samples were overdehydrated during processing. Hint: if
you do immunos don't do antigen retrieval - Histochoice is alcohol
based so there are no aldehyde bonds to break.

Good luck!

Alexis





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