| Abstract: | The effects of varying the buffer, osmolality, and temperature on paraformaldehyde fixation of the formed elements of blood and bone marrow were studied with the electron microscope. Of all the areas of fixation investigated, the most noticeable effect was exhibited on cellular ultrastructure when the buffer system was varied, with s-collidine giving the poorest preservation and phosphate giving the best preservation. Very little effect was exerted by varying the tonicity of the fixative within a given buffer system or by varying the temperature of fixation. It was concluded that for blood and bone marrow specimens, phosphate buffered paraformaldehyde solutions, regardless of osmolality or temperature of fixation, give excellent ultrastructural preservation. |
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