[Histonet] Deterioration rate of fluors used in IF staining

[Sally Price]

Netters:
I realize that the fluorescnt dyes like Alexa/Dylight deteriorate over time,
but I was wondering: Just how fast?  For years we've been told to protect
reagents from direct light during the staining procedure and to keep stained
slides in the dark when not under the scope, but how critical is this -- and
does keeping the reagents/slides refrigerated slow down the process, or am I
just wasting the effort?  Maybe some vendors can chime in here too.
Cheers!
-- 
Sally Price