摘要 |
<p>Methods and compositions for preventing artifacts in tissue samples fixed with an aldehyde-based fixative are described. The methods include fixing a tissue sample with an aldehyde-based fixative, such as a formalin fixative agent. After fixation, the tissue sample can be contacted with separate solutions that each contain an artifact preventing composition or a tissue stain. However, because the artifact preventing composition may increase the stain's shelf- life, the stain and the composition are preferably mixed before being added to the sample. The artifact preventing composition can include one or more amino acids, polyamines, and/or Schiff-base-forming compounds. The components of the composition can bind to or react with free fixative to prevent fixative artifacts. Additionally, reactions between the artifact preventing composition and free aldehyde-based fixative may be favorable due to the thermodynamics, small size, high ability to diffuse, and/or high concentration of the components of the artifact preventing composition.</p> |