Abstract
Summary
1. The chemical composition and enzymatic activity of mouse liver following procedures used in the preparation of tissues for histochemical studies show that high percentages of enzyme activity and chemical constituents are retained after freezing alone and freezing-drying. Negligible additional losses occurred in frozen-dried tissues as a result of a short heating period and treatment with xylol. Considerable loss of material and substantial reduction in the activity of acid and alkaline phosphatase and esterase occur after paraffin embedding, deparaffinization and hydration. Under the same conditions the activity of succinoxidase and cytochrome c oxidase is completely destroyed. 2. In acetone fixation, in contrast to freezing-drying, there is a greater initial loss of enzyme activity and soluble substances, with further loss upon de-paraffinization and hydration.
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