Several fixatives are commonly used in histology, each with its advantages and limitations:
- Formaldehyde: Often used as a 10% formalin solution, it is suitable for general tissue preservation. - Glutaraldehyde: Provides excellent preservation of ultrastructure, making it ideal for electron microscopy. - Ethanol: Used for preserving nucleic acids but can cause tissue shrinkage. - Bouin’s Solution: A mixture of picric acid, formaldehyde, and acetic acid, good for preserving soft tissues.
