We wrap the bone in saline soaked gauze and freeze at -20 degrees C for bone strength testing. If we receive bone for histomorphometric analysis we store our bones in 100% Alcohol. If the Bones are for paraffin sectioning we fix for at least 3 days wash in running tap water and store in 70% EtOh. We prefer to go ahead and process the specimens into paraffin blocks but if the specimens are going to be used for something else then we take them to 70% EtOh. For Bone Mechanical testing which I believe you are looking for. By removing the bone, wrapping in saline soaked gauze and freezing does not hurt the tensile strength. When we get ready to test for 3 point bending,etc we thaw the bone test and then destroy.
Frances L. Swain HT(ASCP) A. A. S. Special Procedures Technician Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Center for Orthopaedic Research Barton Research Building 2R28 4301 West Markham Street Little Rock AR 72205 (501) 686-8739 PHONE (501) 686-8987 FAX swainfranc...@uams.edu email -----Original Message----- From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Breisch, Eric Sent: Tuesday, March 03, 2009 2:40 PM To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu Subject: [Histonet] bone histology and storage Does anyone have a methodology for long term storage of bone? Formalin vs alcohol? Orthopedic group here is wondering whether bone for research purposes should be preferentially stored in alcohol. They aren't interested in immunohistochemistry but rather tensile properties of bone. I haven't been able to find any information on the advantages or disadvantages of bone storage with formalin vs alcohol and hope that someone may be able to shed light on this issue or direct me to the appropriate information site. Thanks in advance for your help. Eric Eric A. Breisch, Ph.D. Clinical Anatomist Dept. of Pathology Rady Children's Hospital and Health Center Associate Clinical Professor of Anatomy Dept. of Surgery UCSD School of Medicine _______________________________________________ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet Confidentiality Notice: This e-mail message, including any attachments, is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply e-mail and destroy all copies of the original message. _______________________________________________ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
