[Histonet] Davidson's fixative and IHC question

[Robert Byrd]

Bouin's solution is an excellent fixative for fetal brains, we were still
using it routinely when I trained 10 years ago but has (and already had in
most places) largely fallen out of use due to the explosive risk associated
with dried picric acid residue in drainpipes etc. It does work remarkably
well on soft and macerated fetal brains though. I use 10% NBF now out of
necessity but might be able to track down a Bouin's protocol if you are
interested.

On Tue, Feb 23, 2016 at 5:11 PM, Hawkins, Hal K. via Histonet <
histonet at lists.utsouthwestern.edu> wrote:

>
> We briefly experimented with using a fixative for stillborn fetal brains
> that was a mixture of equal volumes of 20% formalin and 95% ethanol.  The
> gross preservation and firmness of these very soft brains was improved, and
> the histology results were fine, but as one might predict, some antigens
> were not preserved for immunohistochemistry.
>
> ________________________________________
> From: Jeff Jurczak via Histonet [histonet at lists.utsouthwestern.edu]
> Sent: Tuesday, February 23, 2016 3:45 PM
> To: Bob Richmond
> Cc: Histonet at lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> Subject: Re: [Histonet] Davidson's fixative and IHC question
>
> Is this a good fixative for fetal brain? Anybody have any suggestions as
> to protocols? Do any of the readers here do fetal (human) brain on a
> regular basis?
>
> ----- Original Message -----
>
> From: "Bob Richmond via Histonet" <histonet at lists.utsouthwestern.edu>
> To: "Histonet at lists.utsouthwestern.edu" <histonet at lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> >
> Sent: Tuesday, February 23, 2016 3:22:50 PM
> Subject: Re: [Histonet] Davidson's fixative and IHC question
>
> Several queries about the possible effect of Davidson's fixative on
> immunohistochemistry.
>
> I have a lot of experience with Davidson's fixative, but none with its
> effect on IHC.
>
> Davidson's fixative is easily prepared:
>
> 3 parts tap water
> 3 parts ethanol or reagent alcohol
> 2 parts 37% formalin (not neutral buffered formalin)
> 1 part glacial acetic acid
>
> It is quite destructive to H & E staining if fixation is at all prolonged.
> Tissue should be taken out of it in not more much more than 24 hours.
>
> The history of Davidson's fixative is somewhat obscure - I have a good bit
> of information on it. John Kiernan has said he'll work on ascertaining more
> about its history if he ever has the time.
>
> Bob Richmond
> Samurai Pathologist
> Maryville TN
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