Methodology has been introduced recently which allows transmission and scanning electron microscopy of cell fine structure in semi-thin sections unencumbered by an embedding medium. Images obtained from these “resinless” sections show a three-dimensional lattice of microtrabeculfee contiguous with cytoskeletal structures and membrane-bounded cell organelles. Visualization of these structures, especially of the matiiDra-nous components, can be facilitated by employing tannic acid in the fixation step and dessicator drying, as reported here.Albino rats were fixed by vascular perfusion with 2% glutaraldehyde or 1.5% depolymerized paraformaldehyde plus 2.5% glutaraldehyde in 0.1M sodium cacodylate (pH 7.4). Tissues were removed and minced in the fixative and stored overnight in fixative containing 4% tannic acid. The tissues were rinsed in buffer (0.2M cacodylate), exposed to 1% buffered osmium tetroxide, dehydrated in ethyl alcohol, and embedded in pure polyethylene glycol-6000 (PEG). Sections were cut on glass knives with a Sorvall MT-1 microtome and mounted onto poly-L-lysine, formvar-carbon coated grids while submerged in a solution of 95% ethanol containing 5% PEG.
Comparative response of random and inbred albino rats to the ulcerogenic effect of indomethacin
