Description: Tissues fixed in this solution followed by paraffin embedding and sectioning results in antigen preservation comparable to that in frozen sections with antibodies to these cell surface markers (CD1, CD3, CD4, CD7, CD8, CD19, CD31). Morphological preservation was also comparable to formalin-fixed sections.

Zinc Fixative (JB Fixative)

0.1M Tris Buffer, pH 7.4

      Tris Base -------------------------------- 12.1 g (TRIZMA)
      1N HCL ----------------------------------- 81.5 ml
      Distilled water -------------------------- 900 ml

      Mix to dissolve. Adjust pH to 7.4

Zinc Fixative

      Calcium Acetate ---------------------- 0.5 g
      Zinc Acetate -------------------------- 5.0 g
      Zinc Chloride -------------------------- 5.0 g
      0.1M Tris Buffer made above ------ 1000 ml

Mix to dissolve. The final pH will be approximately 6.5-7.0. Do not readjust the pH, as this will cause the zinc to come out of solution. Store Zinc Fixative at room temperature. Fix tissues for 24 to 48 hours. Fixation longer than 48 hours may make the tissue brittle and difficult to cut.

References:

1. Beckstead JH (1994) A simple technique for preservation of fixation-sensitive antigens in paraffin-embedded tissues. J Histochem Cytochem. 42(8):1127-34. PubMed Abstract

2. Beckstead JH (1995) A simple technique for preservation of fixation-sensitive antigens in paraffin-embedded tissues: addendum. J Histochem Cytochem. 43(3):345. PubMed Abstract