[Histonet] AFA fixative

[Cristina Nunes]

Dear histoneters,
For several years, in the Institute where I am working, the main fixative
used for the preservation of gonads of fish was AFA, with apparently good
results. Then, at a given moment (before I arrived to the Institute), it was
decided to change from AFA to a formalin solution because of the higher
toxicity of the former. The histological results were slightly less good but
for practical reasons (most fish tissue fixations occur at sea, on board the
research vessels), it was considered to be the best solution. However,
nobody was able to explain me why AFA is much more toxic than a formalin
solution (I am sorry for my ignorance in terms of chemistry). Could anyone
clarify me on that point?
Many thanks in advance and a very nice week-end.
Regards,
Cristina Nunes.
 
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Cristina De Amaral P. Nunes
INIAP-IPIMAR Fisheries and Sea Research Institute
Marine Resources Department
Avenida Brasília
1449-006 Lisboa
Portugal
Tel: + 351 21 302 71 55
Fax: + 351 21 301 59 48
Email: cnunes <@t> ipimar.pt
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