[Histonet] mouse pituitary

[Roger Moretz]

It is possible to safely remove the fixed pituitary
from the skull--it justs takes a bit of care and one
of the microscalpels that one can get from Roboz (I
prefer those--no interest other than that).  However
(and it's a big one) there is always the possibility
of losing the pit during processing into
paraffin--even using biopsy cassettes for processing. 
I have wrapped the pit in lens paper (use the Ross
lens tissue only) to ensure not losing the pit. 
However, I have also done the decal route (we use a
slow decal called CalRite from Richard Allan--again no
interest just that the product works well and preserve
soft tissue while giving excellent decalcification
results) that Tracy uses.  I agree wholeheartedly with
not removing the fresh pit from the skull--almost
guaranteed damage and possible loss.

Roger Moretz, Ph.D.
BI Pharmaceuticals
Ridgefield, CT

--- tracy.bergeron <@t> crl.com wrote:

> I did forget to mention we do this with Rat
> pituitary as well.
> 
>   Someone asked me about trimming.  Once the skull
> is sufficiently decaled 
> that it can be cut with a blade easily we trim away
> the excess skull, so 
> that the only portion remaining is the xc containing
> the pituitary gland.
> 
> Hope this is helpful.
> 
> Tracy E. Bergeron, BS, HT, HTL (ASCP)
> Histotechnologist
> Charles River Laboratories
> Wilmington, MA
> 978-658-6000 x 1229
> 
> 
> 
> tracy.bergeron <@t> crl.com 
> Sent by: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> 01/24/2007 12:38 PM
> 
> To
> histonet <@t> pathology.swmed.edu
> cc
> 
> Subject
> Re: [Histonet] mouse pituitary
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
>         The best way to ensure you have pituitary
> present in your samples 
> that come up from necropsy, is to have your necropsy
> folks open the skull 
> up so formalin can get to the brain, but not remove
> the brain from the 
> skull.  You have a greater chance of keeping the
> pituitary intact if the 
> brain is removed after fixation. 
> 
>          Also for mouse pituitary we have found that
> because of it's size 
> it can be very easily damaged if removed from the
> skull for processing. We 
> 
> generally remove the brain, then decalcify the skull
> with the pituitary in 
> 
> place (formic acid decal solution).  Then process,
> embedd, and cut the xc 
> of skull containing the pituitary.  Since  switching
> to this method we 
> rarely have issues with lost or damaged pituitary
> tissue.
> 
> Tracy E. Bergeron, BS, HT, HTL (ASCP)
> Histotechnologist
> Charles River Laboratories
> Wilmington, MA
> 978-658-6000 x 1229
> 
> 
> 
> Atoska Gentry <gentras <@t> vetmed.auburn.edu> 
> Sent by: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> 01/24/2007 12:21 PM
> 
> To
> Histonet <histonet <@t> pathology.swmed.edu>
> cc
> 
> Subject
> [Histonet] mouse pituitary
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Leon, thanks my apologies my wording was a little
> off. I should have 
> said it's location in relation to mouse brain. Guess
> I got caught up 
> with the inability to find it *in* the _Atlas of the
> Mouse Brain and 
> Spinal Cord_  that we have on hand. I'm aware
> perfectly aware of it's 
> general location. It's just that sometimes it's
> present in the samples 
> rec'd from necropsy and other's it's not. And our
> research though 
> primarily small animal does not routinely involve
> mice or rats. Thanks 
> for your assistance. Atoska
> Leon Brokken wrote:
> 
> The pituitary in both mouse and rats is located
> _under_ the brain, not
> _in_. It is rather easy to dissect however. If the
> skull is opened from
> the top, one can carefully lift the brain out of the
> skull after
> disconnecting the optical nerves. The pituitary will
> remain situated at
> the bottom of the brain 'cavity' and can then
> carefully be taken out as
> a whole.
> 
> If you need more detailed help on dissection I can
> provide these
> (allthough it has been a while ago since I performed
> these dissections).
> 
> Cheers, Leon.
> 
> Atoska Gentry wrote:
>  
> 
> > Hello, does anyone have info on an atlas/manual in
> which the pituitary
> > of either mouse or rat brain is distinctively
> displayed? We have a
> > research collaborator who is  specifically
> interested in studying
> > mouse pituitary. But, we have not been able to
> find an atlas which
> > shows it's exact location in mouse brain. And it
> is obviously not
> > distinguishable upon gross exam. Your prompt
> replies will be much
> > appreciated. Atoska :-)
> >
> > 
> -- 
> Atoska S. Gentry, B.S., HT(ASCP)
> Research Assistant IV
> Scott-Ritchey RSCH Center
> College of Vet. Med
> Auburn, AL 36849
> PH (334) 844-5579
> FAX (334) 844-5850
> email: gentras <@t> vetmed.auburn.edu
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Histonet mailing list
> Histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
>
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Histonet mailing list
> Histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
>
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Histonet mailing list
> Histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
>
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
> 




 
____________________________________________________________________________________
Need Mail bonding?
Go to the Yahoo! Mail Q&A for great tips from Yahoo! Answers users.
http://answers.yahoo.com/dir/?link=list&sid=396546091