[Histonet] Rodent processing and artifactual spaces

[Grantham, Andrea L - (algranth)]

I process rodent tissue among other types of tissues and the times are similar to those that I use. In the place of Xylene I use Clear Rite 3. I find that this is a little more gentle and the tissue while still dry is not as bad and some things I don't even have to soak - like ovaries and some brains. But when I do soak I use a little glycerin in my water and let the faced blocks sit on the cold plate for 30 min-1 hr. Usually that is all it takes to get really pretty sections.
One other thing to think of is the temp of your waterbath. I keep mine around 40 degrees C.
I let the slides dry completely before putting them in the oven before staining. If you have water under the sections it could produce the some of the spaces that you are seeing when the water expands in the oven.


Andrea Grantham, HT (ASCP)
Senior Research Specialist
University of Arizona
Cellular and Molecular Medicine
Histology Service Laboratory
P.O.Box 245044
Tucson, AZ 85724

algranth <@t> email.arizona.edu<mailto:algranth <@t> email.arizona.edu>
Tel: 520.626.4415     Fax: 520.626.2097