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Artifacts caused by dehydration and epoxy embedding in transmission electron microscopy
1Food Animal Protection Research Laboratory, USDA, Agricultural Research Service, College Station, Texas 77845-9594.
Microscopy Research and Technique
|December 15, 1993
Summary
Epoxy resins are crucial for electron microscopy tissue preservation, offering excellent ultrastructure but posing challenges like toxicity and poor antigenicity. Understanding their properties is key for effective tissue preparation.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Microscopy
- Histology
Background:
- Epoxy resins are widely used as embedding media for transmission electron microscopy (TEM).
- They offer advantages such as good ultrastructural preservation, minimal shrinkage, and sectioning ease.
- However, limitations include potential toxicity, masking of antigenic sites, and suboptimal tissue penetration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To discuss the properties of epoxy resins used in electron microscopy.
- To highlight both the advantages and disadvantages of epoxy resin embedding.
- To address unusual characteristics observed during epoxy resin embedding processes.
Main Methods:
- Review and discussion of epoxy resin properties relevant to tissue embedding.
- Analysis of factors affecting ultrastructural preservation and sectioning.
- Consideration of resin-tissue interactions and potential artifacts.
Main Results:
- Epoxy resins provide high-quality ultrastructural preservation and stability.
- Disadvantages include toxicity, antigen masking, and limited penetration.
- Observed artifacts include organelle shrinkage and poststaining difficulties.
Conclusions:
- Epoxy resins are principal embedding media for TEM due to superior preservation.
- Their limitations necessitate careful consideration of experimental goals and potential artifacts.
- Further understanding of resin properties can optimize tissue preparation techniques.