Fixation Flashcards
Process by which the constituents of cells and tissues are fixed in a physical and chemical state with various reagents
Fixation
Achieved by exposing the tissues to chemical compounds called
Stabilization
Primary purpose of fixation
Preserve chemical integrity of the cell
Secondary purpose of fixation
Harden and protect the tissue
Correct fixative ratio
20:1 - 10: 1
Usual fixation time
24hrs
Usual temp for surgical specimen
Room temp
Effects of fixatives
Makes cells resistant
Inhibit bacterial decomposition
Reduce the risk of infection
Characteristic of a good fixative
Cheap
Stable
Isotonic
Safe to handle
Hydrogen ion concentration
Satisfactory fixation occurs between 6-8pH
Nuclear < 4.6
Cytoplasmic > 4.6
Temperature
EM: 0-4 degrees
Osmolality
Hypertonic: shrink
Hypotonic: swell
Ideal: 400-450msOm
Thickness of the section
Em- 1-2mm^2
Light microscopy- 2cm^2
Concentration
10%
Stock- -40%
Duration of fixation without agitation
24hrs
Practical considerations of fixation
Speed- fixed immediately
Penetration- 1mm/hr
Volume
Duration of fixation varies with different type of tissues
Other factors that affect fixation
Retardation- presence of mucus, fats, blood
Acceleration- agitation
Fixative becomes a part of the tissue by formation of cross links or complexes, stabilizes the tissue proteins
Additive fixation
The fixative does not become part of the tissue, stabilizes the tissue by removing of the bound water.
Non-additive fixation
Types of fixative according to composition
Simple- one component
Compound- 2 or more ex: mercuric chloride, glacial HAC
Types of fixative according to action
Microanatomical
Cytological
Histochemical
Without altering the structural and normal intracellular relationship of tissues
Microanatomical
Examples of microanatomical fixatives
10% formol saline
10% NBF
Heidenhain Susa
Preserve specific parts elements of the cell
Cytological
Examples of cytological fixatives
Nuclear- bouin’s fluid, flemming’s fluid, heidenhain sua
Cytoplasmic- flemmings’s fluid w/o acetic acid, helly’s fluid, orth’s fluid
Preserve chemical constituents of cells
Histochemical
Example of histochemical fixatives
10% formol saline
Acetone
Newcomer’s fluid
Effective for preservation of lipid, fixatives containing mercuric chloride and potassium dichromate
Frozen section
Most useful for glycogen, glycogen fixation
Alcoholic fixative
The most common used for amino acid histochemistry
Formaldehyde