Good Morning Patsy,
I process mouse embryos as well as organs from adults that have been treated
with beta gal post fixation. My processing protocol is about 5 hours start
to finish, shorter if it is just small organs, no brain tissue. I have had
no loss of signal, and the PI's are happy. If you want the complete run up
let me know and I will forward it on to you.
Have a great day!

Mary Georger
Center for Cardiovascular Research
University of Rochester Medical Center
KMRB Room 2-9816
601 Elmwood Avenue.
PO Box 679
Rochester, New York  14642
585-273-1548

> ----------
> From: 	rueggp
> Sent: 	Monday, November 26, 2001 5:35 PM
> To: 	HistoNet Server
> Subject: 	cutting whole mice
> 
> fellow netters,
> i have been asked about cutting whole young mice treated with beta-gal.
> i did this at one time as frozen sections by placing a microtome in a
> chest freezer and using a tungsten carbide knife.  question:  in order
> to sucessfully do ihc for beta-gal would the sample have to be frozen or
> does it stand up to processing?
> the exact inquiry follows.
> patsy
> Dear Patsy,
> I was given your name by Nancy Shellhorn and she thought you would be
> just the person to help me!
> I work in a core lab which provides histology support to many users.  I
> have an investigator who is interested in doing whole mounts of young
> mice.  He is injecting them with Beta-Gal at birth, then wants to look
> for the stain after they have grown a little- he says they will be
> "young mice" but hasn't given me an exact age.  I believe weeks as
> opposed to months.
> Have you any experience processing entire small mice and cutting them?
> If not, can you advise me of a source (human or literature) that may be
> able to assist me?
> 
> Thank You Very Much,
> Marda Jorgensen
> 
> 
>