A previous study demonstrated that tissue could be successfully infiltrated with 50% glutaraldehyde, and then subsequently polymerized with urea to create an embedment which retained cytomembrane lipids in sectioned material. As a result, the 180-190 Å periodicity characteristic of fresh, mammalian myelin was preserved in sections, as was a brilliant birefringence, and the capacity to bind OsO4 vapor in the hydrophobic bilayers. An associated (unpublished) study, carried out in co-operation with Drs. C.K. Akers and D.F. Parsons, demonstrated that the high concentration of glutaraldehyde (and urea) did not significantly alter the X-ray diffraction pattern of aldehyde-fixed, myelin. Thus, by itself, 50% glutaraldehyde has little effect upon cytomembrane systems and can be used with confidence for the first stages of dehydration.
