A rapid fixation method for transmission and Scanning Electron Microscopy using microwave irradiation

Abstract

Recently, the validity of microwave irradiation (MWI) for electron microscopy has attracted special interest especially in Japan. Recently, we developed a new maceration method for scanning electron microscopy (microwave maceration) and a rapid polymerization method for tissue embedding using epoxy resin (microwave polymerization). Concerning the tissue fixations using MWI (microwave fixation), there are many problems which are not yet clear. In this study, we intend to reveal the effectiveness and mechanism of microwave fixation for scanning and transmission electron mi c roscopy.Liver and trachea taken from Wistar strain male rats were used in this experiment. The fresh livers and tracheae were cut into small pieces and microwave irradiated using a microwave processor (H2500, Bio-Rad) for 1 or 3 min in 2.5% g1utara 1dehyde (GL) bufferized fixatives regulated at pH 7.3 with 0.1M phosphate buffer solution. To prevent the rising of temperature during MWI, specially designed metal case containing water and ice was used (Fig.1).