IMPROVED METHOD FOR OBTAINING 3-MU-M CRYOSECTIONS FOR IMMUNOCYTOCHEMISTRY

The following describes a modified technique for obtaining 3-μm sections for light microscopic level immunocytochemistry. By combining 20% sucrose with Tissue-Tek OCT embedding compound in a o of 2:1, we produced a block that was suitable for cutting 3-μm sections on a conventional cryostat. The 3-μm sections were dramatically improved compared with 10-μm sections cut from tissue embedded in OCT alone, when viewed with both differential interference contrast microscopy (Nomanski optics) and indirect immunofluorescence. The method is simple, uses materials already available, and does not require training in a new technique.