[Histonet] RE: whole mouse brains

[Catherine Simonson]

Hey there!

I embed whole mouse brains on a regular basis.  First, process on a longer
schedule (about 1 to 1.5 hours per station, really.  Otherwise they are
under processed and will not cut well and you will have problems getting
them to stay on the slides during staining).  Use the deep molds.  Keep in
mind that the tissue will shrink (about 20 - 30 %) during processing so
they WILL fit for coronal sections.  If need be, trim some of the olfactory
bulbs off (you probably would be facing those off on the microtome anyhow).

Hope this helps,

Catherine Simonson, HT (ASCP)
The Jackson Laboratory
Bar Harbor, ME