Several fixatives are commonly used in histology, each with unique properties suited for different types of tissues and analyses:
Formaldehyde: Often used as a 10% neutral buffered formalin solution, it cross-links proteins, preserving tissue morphology. Glutaraldehyde: Provides better cross-linking than formaldehyde, making it ideal for electron microscopy. Alcohols: Ethanol and methanol are used for fixing cytological smears and nucleic acid preservation. Osmium tetroxide: Used primarily in electron microscopy for its excellent lipid preservation. Bouin's solution: A combination of picric acid, formaldehyde, and acetic acid, used for preserving soft and delicate tissues.
