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: 

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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  

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