[Histonet] Inquiry on Tissue Softening for Microtomy

[IGNACIO GONZÁLEZ MASSONI]

Dear friends at Histonet,

I hope this message finds you well. I am reaching out to seek your expertise on a matter that has piqued my interest in the field of histology.

I am currently delving into the process of preparing FFPE (formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded) tissues for microtomy. Specifically, I am curious about the role of ammonia in softening these tissues before sectioning. From my understanding, ammonia serves as an alkaline agent that helps neutralize formalin's effects and facilitates the removal of paraffin, thus aiding in the softening of the tissue.

However, I would greatly appreciate if you could provide a more detailed explanation of the chemical interactions at play here. How exactly does ammonia interact with the tissue components to achieve the desired softening effect? Moreover, are there any best practices or safety precautions that one should be aware of when using ammonia in this context?

Your insights on this topic would be invaluable to me and would greatly enhance my understanding of the intricacies involved in histological preparations.

Thank you for your time and assistance.

Warm regards from Santiago of Chile

Ignacio, Medical Technologist