Critical-point drying and gold sputtering as applied to scanning electron microscopy of human reproductive tissues

Improved techniques have been developed for washing, pinning, fixation, dehydration and critical-point drying of tissues of female and male reproductive tracts, gametes, for viewing by scanning electron microscopy. The sputtering method, performed by an ion gun, is applied to shadow and produce a thin film of gold. Technical details and metal coating are noted which are suitable to improve images of surface ultrastructure of cilia and microvilli. Studies using scanning electron microscopy, histological and histochemical techniques, and cinematography are described.