Matt,

I have done fixed sucrose protected frozen sections and paraffin embedded
sections on neonatal mice up to 2 weeks of age without decalcification. I
have used a few strains of mice and found the skull cap to be thin enough to
section with little or no difficulty. I found careful dissection after
fixation to remove the lower jaw is necessary.  

As usual Gayle gave a good protocol for decalcification if necessary.

Cynthia Favara
NIAID/NIH/RML/LPVD
903 South 4th Street
Hamilton, MT 59840
406-363-9317


-----Original Message-----
From: Matt McElwee [mailto:MCELWEE@surgery.wisc.edu]
Sent: Thursday, October 17, 2002 8:15 AM
To: histonet@pathology.swmed.edu
Subject: skull decalcification


Hi everyone.  Does anyone have a good way to decalcify mouse skulls that
doesn't shrink or otherwise alter the brain?  We want to section mouse
heads from neonates through 2 weeks of age.  I know that we'll have to
change the time that the brain is in the decalcifying solution,
depending on the age of the mouse, but if anyone can recommend a good
decalcifying solution or give any other advice, I'd really appreciate
it.
Thank you.
Matt

Matt McElwee
Research Specialist
Department of Surgery
K4/617 Clinical Science Center
600 Highland Avenue
Madison, WI 53792
(608) 263-7648
mcelwee@surgery.wisc.edu