[Histonet] RE: fixation and embedding eyeball

[Gayle Callis]

Beatrice,

What paraffin are you using, water bath temperature?  Eyes sometimes 
explode on a waterbath, or do not flatten correctly.  Any hints on those 
issues?

Also, Mary Georger is an expert in eye histotechniques as she taught ab 
excellent hands on workshop some years ago at NSH convention.  If she is 
not on Histonet, maybe she would elaborate privately and I could pass this 
on.  Davidson's is a popular fixative for eyes, although she used NBF, 
Bouins has be suggested .  With the latter, some do not like the picric 
acid additive. The choice of paraffin often helps - Peel a Way is one.

Years ago, AFIP used Peelaway for eyes, and the person doing this explained 
why this paraffin was superior for eyes.  If I recall our discussion 
correctly, it is because the paraffin doesn't expand as much as other 
paraffins and holds eye structures in place better.   Would anyone 
entertain discussion on the physical properties of Peel a Way paraffin?  It 
used to come in range of melting points, but not sure what is supplied now.

At 08:24 AM 1/13/2006, you wrote:
>What kind of fixative are you using? We use Davidson's fixative for our
>eyes (including dogs), embed them in paraffin, cut them at 4 microns and
>the structure of the eye stays together beautifully. Good luck!
>
>Beatrice DeBrosse-Serra

Gayle Callis
Research Histopathology Supervisor
Veterinary Molecular Biology
Montana State University - Bozeman
PO Box 173610
Bozeman MT 59717-3610
406 994-6367
406 994-4303 (FAX)