Some Experiments with Chromium Compounds as Fixers for Electron Microscopy

Abstract

Tissues were fixed for 30 minutes in an aqueous solution containing 3% CrO3, 4% HCHO and 0.85% NaCl and then washed for 30 minutes in distilled water. Baso-philic cells fix best with well preserved intracellular relationships but with some shrinkage. Endoplasmic reticulum, palade granules and nuclear detail are well preserved. The external contours of mitochondria, zymogen granules, etc., are well delineated. Lipoprotein membranes are not preserved. Strongly hydrated tissues do not fix well.