I agree with everything Gayle has said and more information will help.  You
may also want to look at how you pick sections up off the water bath or how
you transfer them.  You method of pick up and water bath temperature would
also help.  Pam Marcum


> [Original Message]
> From: Gayle Callis 
> To: Julien Lambrey de Souza ;

> Date: 11/7/2003 3:55:02 PM
> Subject: Re: [Histonet] Help on Teared tissues
>
> Tearing of sections can happen for many reasons, but probably a dull knife
> or a knife that has knicks and gouges on its sharp edge.  Change the knife
> often, disposable knife blades are far nicer for this reason, move to
sharp
> non-defective edge and keep brushes or forceps, whatever you use to pick
up
> sections off the blade - AWAY FROM THAT EDGE.  Paraffin buildup on back of
> knife and holder is a possibility.  Learn to clean a knife properly, use a
> solvent to remove paraffin, and wipe and away from the edge rather than go
> over it with any type of guaze or tissue. Xylene tends to harden the
tissue
> a bit more.  There has been a great deal of discussion on sectioning
> problems on Histonet, do a search of the Histonet Archives to see what has
> been discussed in the past.
>
> Are all your screws, knife holder settings tight?  Microtomes can have
> problems and sneak up on you when you least expect it.    
>
> Improper processing may be a factor, but it is more likely due to
> overexposure to solvents rather than increase time, or not enough paraffin
> infiltration.  
>
> If you put out exactly how you process your tissue, the processing
schedule
> and WHAT tissues you are working with, Histonetters could help you more.
> Some tissues are more susceptible to friable, torn sections and are you
> working with animal tissues? If so, what species? Give us a bit more
> information please. 
>
>
>
>
>
> At 08:28 PM 11/7/2003 +0000, you wrote:
> >Hello all,
> >
> >Could someone give me the various reasons why tissues are torn on
slides. In 
> >my case I doubt that this is due to the microtome. Is processing in
parafin 
> >a possibility? Maybe longer times in 100% alchool, Xylen and then
parafin?
> >
> >Thanks,
> >Julien De Souza.
> >
> >_________________________________________________________________
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> >
> >
> Gayle Callis
> MT,HT,HTL(ASCP)
> Research Histopathology Supervisor
> Veterinary Molecular Biology 
> Montana State University - Bozeman
> PO Box 173610
> Bozeman MT 59717-3610
> 406 994-6367 (lab with voice mail)
> 406 994-4303 (FAX)
>
>
>
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