[Histonet] RE: Fish Skin Histology

[Debbie Faichney]

Hi Anna,

Working in Aquaculture, we section fish tissues daily - typically Salmonids.  What works for us is routinely process to paraffin, then surface/trim the block followed by surface decal (for at least an hour) using a hydrochloric acid based product (RDC, Cellpath UK.)  

Whole eyes do not process well unless very small,  therefore we lay the eye cornea side down and cut out a transverse section on either side of the optic nerve prior to processing - hope this makes sense! 

It can help sectioning if the skin is positioned in the block perpendicular, rather than horizontal, to the blade.

Prior to sectioning, the blocks are chilled for a few minutes-
skin is placed face down on the cold plate 
eyes are placed face-up on the cold plate with a drop of distilled water on the lens to aid sectioning.

What species of fish are you working with?  Some cause more problems than others. 

Hope this helps!

Debbie

Debbie Faichney, BSc
Senior Technician
Histology/Bacteriology Laboratories
Institute of Aquaculture
University of Stirling
Stirling, FK9 4LA
Scotland
UK
Tel: +44(0)1786 466592/466590









-----Original Message-----
From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Coffey, Anna (NIH/NCI) [C]
Sent: 20 March 2015 16:35
To: histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: [Histonet] Fish Skin Histology

Hello Histonet,

I am looking for advice on the best method to prepare fish skin and eyes for sectioning. If you have had experience with this in the past, I'd love to hear what worked for you.

Thanks in advance!
Anna

Anna Coffey, MS, HTL(ASCP)CM
Histotechnologist
Center for Advanced Preclinical Research Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc.
Bld 539, 224
Frederick, Maryland 21702
anna.coffey <@t> nih.gov
301-846-1730

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