POLYVINYL ALCOHOL AS AN EMBEDDING MEDIUM FOR LIPID AND ENZYME HISTOCHEMISTRY

Abstract

Polyvinyl alcohol is a highly polar, water-soluble resin. Fixed, washed specimens are soaked in a mixture of 15% polyvinyl alcohol, 15% glycerol and 70% water, which is then allowed to dry at room temperature to a hard, sectionable block. Sections 1-100 µ thick are floated on water, dried on glass slides and stained. There is good preservation of tissue and cell structure, and of many lipids and enzymes.