[Histonet] formalin fixed mouse ears-help

[Monfils, Paul]

I had the same problem a couple of years ago. I found I could largely avoid it by processing the ears on a longer schedule, 40 hours instead of overnight (monday at quitting time through wednesday morning for example), presumably getting more thorough infiltration of the cartilage. As for those already embedded, try putting a drop of liquid dish detergent in the water bath to reduce the surface tension, and make sure the bath is not warmer than it has to be. If that doesn't help with these blocks I would melt them and put the tissue back in paraffin, preferably under vacuum, for several more hours before re-embedding.

> ----------
> From: 	histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu on behalf of Mary Beauchamp
> Sent: 	Thursday, February 8, 2007 2:57 PM
> To: 	histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> Subject: 	[Histonet] formalin fixed mouse ears-help
> 
> Hi there,
> 
>  
> 
> I'm having problems with 10% neutral buffered formalin fixed mouse ears
> embedded in paraffin. They are splitting from the cartilage as soon, and
> I mean, as soon as they hit the water bath.
> 
>  
> 
> I'm open to any suggestions, no matter how silly or simple. This is a
> chronic problem and these mouse ears will continue to be submitted to me
> for a long time.
> 
>  
> 
> Please help!
> 
>  
> 
> -Mary B
> 
> 
>   _____  
> 
> I am using the free version of SPAMfighter for private users.
> It has removed 78 spam emails to date.
> Paying users do not have this message in their emails.
> Try SPAMfighter <http://www.spamfighter.com>  for free now!
> 
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Histonet mailing list
> Histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
> 
>