[Histonet] Re: Formaline-free fixative

[Robert Richmond]

Pierre Chaumat (where are you, Pierre?) asks:

>>Has anyone tested alternative solution to formaline fixation ? Has anyone
switched to a new tissue fixative ? - I would like to share some experience.<<

About the only alternative "fixative" that actually is a fixative is
glyoxal, available under numerous trade names. Its fixative properties
are somewhat different from those of formaldehyde. In particular,
immunostains may require adjustment, and comparison with formaldehyde
fixed tissue from the same case. In the USA, the breast cancer
immunostains are required by the federal govenrment to be done on
formaldehyde fixed tissue.

Do not use any trade-named fixative whose composition is secret.
Sometimes fairly adequate information can be obtained from the
Materials Safety Data Sheet (MSDS), in the USA. Does France require
similar documentation of hazardous materials? If so, what is this
document called, and what is a good Web site to look some of them up?
(I can read French.)

Bob Richmond
Samurai Pathologist
Knoxville, Tennessee