Improvements of glycol methacrylate. I. Its use as an embedding medium for electron microscopic studies.

Abstract

The technique for using the water-soluble embedding medium glycol methacrylate has been improved for ultrastructural studies by the simplification of the method of formation of prepolymers used in embedding the tissue, by the addition of a cross-linking agent so that sections are stable in the electron beam, and by improving the softness of the blocks by the addition of a plasticizing agent. The preservation of tissue morphology has been improved by complete dehydration in glycol methacrylate monomer prior to infiltration with the prepolymer. Preservations of tissue morphology is further enhanced by complete dehydration in ethanols and embedding in the improved glycol methacrylate medium.