title: Scanning electron microscopy - some methodological considerations.
abstract: Although scanning electron microscopy has been used in arterial research for more than a decade, methodological standards are still subject to dispute. In this presentation, our experience with different methods to prepare arterial tissue is described. Our efforts have been aiming at optimizing the reproducibility of our preparations. The recommended procedure involves fixation at "physiological" arterial pressure in Karnovsky's fixative for a short period, post-fixation by immersion, drying of the tissue with the critical point method and covering it with gold in a sputtering device. The effects of various deviations from this procedure are described. After preparation with the recommended procedure a resolution of 200-400 A has been obtained. General characteristics of the arterial endothelium are concurrent with those described in studies using light microscopy or transmission electron microscopy.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001011:Aorta / Q000648:ultrastructure; D001158:Arteries / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D004727:Endothelium / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005260:Female; D005337:Fibrin; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006801:Humans; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning / Q000379:methods; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010477:Perfusion; D011817:Rabbits; D051381:Rats; D014599:Uterus / Q000098:blood supply
chemical_list: D005337:Fibrin