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Effects of fixation, dehydration and staining on dimensions of myxosporidan

J D Parker1, M C Warner

  • 1Oklahoma State University and Oklahoma Cooperative Fishery Unit, Stillwater, Oklahoma 74074, USA.

Journal of Wildlife Diseases
|October 1, 1970
PubMed

Insights

Ten percent formalin fixation minimizes shrinkage and enhances detail in myxo- and microsporidan spores. Dehydration causes significant shrinkage, while stains have minimal size impact.

Area of Science:

  • Parasitology
  • Microbiology
  • Histology

Background:

  • Accurate morphological measurements of myxo- and microsporidan spores are crucial for species identification and taxonomic studies.
  • Fixation, dehydration, and staining procedures can significantly alter spore dimensions, potentially leading to misidentification.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the impact of various fixation, dehydration, and staining techniques on the morphological dimensions of myxo- and microsporidan spores.
  • To identify optimal methods for preserving spore integrity and detail for accurate analysis.

Main Methods:

  • Tested seven fixatives, two dehydrants (isopropyl alcohol, acetone), and five stains.
  • Measured spore length, width, and polar capsule dimensions after each treatment.
  • Utilized Heidenhains iron hematoxylin and Mallory's aniline-blue collagen stains for differential staining.

Main Results:

  • Ten percent formalin resulted in the least shrinkage and best cytological detail for both spore types.
  • All fixatives caused shrinkage in myxosporidan spore length and polar capsule length.
  • Dehydration with isopropyl alcohol or acetone induced significant additional shrinkage.
  • Staining had a negligible effect on spore size, with Heidenhains iron hematoxylin and Mallory's stains proving effective.

Conclusions:

  • Ten percent formalin is recommended for fixation of myxo- and microsporidan spores to minimize dimensional changes.
  • Careful consideration of dehydration methods is necessary due to their significant impact on spore size.
  • Standard staining protocols do not substantially alter spore morphology, aiding in reliable identification.

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