[Histonet] where do you purchase normal sera and cresyl violet

[Andi Kappeler]

Hi Neil

we have been buying our sera for IHC (goat, rabbit, swine, horse, ...) for 
years from Invitrogen (formerly Gibco Life Technologies) with good results. 
We thaw the 500 ml bottles, aliquot them and store the aliquots in the 
freezer until we need them. Invitrogen supplies sera for cell culture and 
similar purposes, that's probably why you get reasonable volumes at 
affordable prices. Immuno companies probably sell (hopefully) the same 
quality but repacked in tiny little bottles ...
Hope this helps
Andi Kappeler
Institute of Pathology, University of Bern, Switzerland


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Neil Fournier" <nfournier <@t> sasktel.net>
To: <histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu>
Sent: Tuesday, March 13, 2007 8:59 AM
Subject: [Histonet] where do you purchase normal sera and cresyl violet


> Hi everyone,
>
> I was wondering where  people typically purchase normal sera that they use 
> as blocking agents for IHC (for example on fixed rat brain).   We 
> purchased normal animal sera through Vector Laboratories; however, 
> considering how much we usually go through (we do a lot of our procedures 
> as free-floating) and the rather expensive costs I was wondering if any 
> one knew of cheaper places that still yield high quality products.  Vector 
> sells 10 ml to us for over $150 after shipping and exchange rate and I 
> have noticed that Invitrogen sells an equivalent product (normal goat 
> sera) which consists of 100 ml and costs around $30.00.   I am not sure 
> what the specific differences between the two are but this is a huge 
> difference in price and I am not sure if it translate into anything 
> meaningful in terms of quality of blocking.
>
> And lastly, I typically buy cresyl violet acetate through Acros.  We have 
> had beautiful results but once again it is a little on the pricey side 
> considering the small quantity we purchase.  I once tried a different 
> product (not sure what it was) and it was useless (in fact the solution 
> wouldn't even stain my own fingers).   Once again does anyone have any 
> product suggestions that have worked well for them in the past.
>
> I hate changing procedures that already work well but if we can cut some 
> costs then perhaps I can argue for a nice pay increase or holiday in 
> Florida.
>
> Thanks for the advice,
>
> Neil
>
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