Alcohol-based solutions for bovine testicular tissue fixation. (January 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cabrera, Nelson C.; Espinoza, Jorge R.; Vargas-Jentzsch, Paul; Sandoval, Patricio; Ramos, Luis A.; Aponte, Pedro M.
• Is Part Of: Journal of veterinary diagnostic investigation. Volume 29:Number 1(2017:Jan.)
• Page Start: 91
• Page End: 99
• Publication Date: 2017-01
• Subjects: Bovine -- ethanol -- fixatives -- formaldehyde -- testis -- Tollens reagent; Veterinary medicine -- Diagnosis -- Periodicals; 636.0896075
• DOI: 10.1177/1040638716672252
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1040-6387

Abstract

Tissue fixation, a central element in histotechnology, is currently performed with chemical compounds potentially harmful for human health and the environment. Therefore, alternative fixatives are being developed, including alcohol-based solutions. We evaluated several ethanol-based mixtures with additives to study fixative penetration rate, tissue volume changes, and morphologic effects in the bovine testis. Fixatives used were Bouin solution, 4% formaldehyde (F4), 70% ethanol (E70), E70 with 1.5% glycerol (E70G), E70 with 5% acetic acid (E70A), E70 with 1.5% glycerol and 5% acetic acid (E70AG), and E70 with 1.5% glycerol, 5% acetic acid, and 1% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO; E70AGD). Five-millimeter bovine testicular tissue cubes could be completely penetrated by ethanol-based fixatives and Bouin solution in 2–3 h, whereas F4 required 21 h. Bouin solution produced general tissue shrinkage, whereas the other fixatives (alcohol-based and F4) caused tissue volume expansion. Although Bouin solution is an excellent fixative for testicular tissue, ethanol-based fixatives showed good penetration rates, low tissue shrinkage, and preserved sufficient morphology to allow identification of the stages of the seminiferous epithelium cycle, therefore representing a valid alternative for histotechnology laboratories. Common additives such as acetic acid, glycerol, and DMSO offered marginal benefits for the process of fixation; E70AG showed the best preservation of morphology with excellent nuclear detail, close to that of Bouin solution.