Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-dsjbd Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-29T15:57:38.060Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Processing Cochlea For Paraffin Sectioning And SEM

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 March 2018

Donna C. Montague*
Affiliation:
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences

Extract

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the ‘Save PDF’ action button.

We have successfully sectioned decalcified paraffin embedded “inner ears” from mice, rats and humans. We have also prepared guinea pig cochlea for SEM, So, briefly:

Paraffin:

  1. 1) Immediately after dissection, place the cochlea in 10% neutral buffered formalin (NSF) and let fix with gentle agitation 24 hours per 2 mm thickness at room temperature.

  2. 2) Decalcify by immersing in 5% formic acid at least 4X specimen volume.

  3. 3) Gently agitate at room temperature and change at least once per 24 hours. Check for completeness of decalcification by decanting 4 mLs of “spent” formic acid into a clean, clear test tube, Add 1 mL of 5% ammonium oxaiate in distilled water. Let stand undisturbed for 15 to 20 minutes, White precipitate of calcium oxaiate indicates that the sample is not completely decalcified, Change formic acid at least once per 24 hours until the spent formic tests clear.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Microscopy Society of America 1998

References

References:

Bancroft, J.D. and Stevens, A.. 1996, Theory and Practice of Histological Techniques 4th ed. pp 727728, Churchill Livingstone, New York.Google Scholar
Skinner, R.A. 1986. The Value of Methyl Salicylate as a Clearing Agent. J. Histotech. 9:2728.Google Scholar
Skinner, R.A. and Nicholas, R.W.. 1991. Preparation of Superior Quality Slides of Orthopaedic Tissues From Fresh Surgical Specimens. Tech Sample, ASCP Press, HT2.Google Scholar
Skinner, R.A., Nicholas, R.W., Stewart, C.L., and Vireday, C.. 1993. Processing of Resected Allograft Bone Containing an Expanded Polytetrafluoroethylene Implanted Prosthetic Ligament: Comparison of Paraffin, Glyool Methacrylate and Exakt Grinding System. J. Histotech. 16:129137.Google Scholar
Skinner, R.A. Hickmon, S.G., Lumpkin, C.K., Aranson, J. and Nicholas, R.W.. 1997. Decalcified Bone: Twenty Years of Successful Specimen Management. J. Histotech 20(3): 267277.Google Scholar