A method for exposing the internal anatomy of small and delicate tissues for correlated SEM/TEM studies using polyethylene glycol embedding.
A method for preparing and handling large, clean, distortion-free cut surfaces through small and delicate tissues for correlated SEM/TEM examination is described. In this method, tissues are fixed according to conventional protocols; however, instead of critical-point-drying after fixation, tissues are first embedded in polyethylene glycol (PEG), a water-soluble waxy solid. Tissue blocks are easily oriented and sectioned to the desired regions, immersed in a solvent to remove PEG, critical-point-dried, and examined with an SEM. The same tissue blocks can be reworked for TEM by immersing in propylene oxide and embedding in an epoxy resin.
D000818:Animals; D002642:Chick Embryo; D006652:Histological Techniques; D008168:Lung / Q000648:ultrastructure; D051379:Mice; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols
D011092:Polyethylene Glycols