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Potential use of embalmed cadavers to study mast cell presence
1Department of Biological Sciences, Delaware State University, Dover 19901, USA. rmacbrid@dsc.edu
Background:
Embalmed cadavers in medical classes represent a potential source for collecting human tissues without the inherent problems of obtaining fresh or surgical specimens. Although the manner of fixation and vagaries of embalming techniques eliminate many such tissues for histological assessment, other techniques can be applied successfully to embalmed tissues. Pertinent to the present study, mast cells contain granules that are preserved under good fixation in formaldehyde, a main ingredient in embalming fluids. Visualization of these granules is possible, even though the ultrastructure of these cells is not preserved.
Methods:
Two techniques for the visualization of connective tissue mast cells were compared using embalmed and fresh specimens: Alcian blue and avidin conjugated to fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC-Avidin). Both will bind to mast cell granules, even in the presence of formaldehyde.
Results:
Although mast cell numbers in the connective tissue did not differ between embalmed and fresh tissues, comparisons between the techniques involved showed the FITC-Avidin technique to be possibly more sensitive, perhaps because of the increased contrast from the fluorescent dye.
Conclusions:
Thus for some studies, human cadavers may provide a valuable source of tissue. However, use of embalmed tissue necessitates ensuring good embalming, checking for dehydration, and proper storage until embedment.
Insights
Embalmed cadavers offer a viable source for human tissue collection. Mast cell visualization techniques, like FITC-Avidin, can successfully identify these cells in preserved tissues.
Area of Science:
- Histology
- Anatomical Pathology
- Tissue Preservation
Background:
- Embalmed cadavers are a potential source for human tissue collection, overcoming challenges associated with fresh or surgical specimens.
- Formaldehyde fixation, common in embalming, preserves mast cell granules, enabling their visualization.
- While ultrastructure is lost, histological assessment of certain tissues from embalmed cadavers is feasible.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the efficacy of two techniques for visualizing connective tissue mast cells in embalmed versus fresh human tissues.
- To evaluate the suitability of embalmed tissues for histological studies involving mast cells.
Main Methods:
- Comparison of Alcian blue staining and avidin conjugated to fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC-Avidin) for mast cell visualization.
- Application of these techniques to both embalmed cadaveric and fresh human tissue specimens.
Main Results:
- Mast cell counts in connective tissue were comparable between embalmed and fresh specimens.
- The FITC-Avidin technique demonstrated potentially higher sensitivity for mast cell visualization compared to Alcian blue.
- Increased contrast from the fluorescent dye may contribute to the enhanced sensitivity of FITC-Avidin.
Conclusions:
- Human cadavers can serve as a valuable tissue source for specific research applications.
- Successful use of embalmed tissue requires careful attention to embalming quality, dehydration, and storage.
- Histological techniques can be adapted for effective analysis of preserved human tissues.