Freeze Cracking of Scanning Electron Microscope Specimens
A Study of the Kidney and Spleen
1974 Volume 37 Issue 2 Pages 165-182
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1974 Volume 37 Issue 2 Pages 165-182
Freeze cracking methods for the preparation of the scanning electron microscope specimens are described and the results obtained in the rat kidney and human spleen are demonstrated. Fixed tissue pieces immersed either in ethanol, isoamyl acetate, or in 40% dimethyl sulfoxide were quench-frozen in liquid nitrogen or in Freon-22 cooled by liquid nitrogen and cracked. Freeze cracking in ethanol and isoamyl acetate produced clean and flat fracture surfaces causing excellent visualization of the lining surfaces of the opened vessels, tubules and tissue spaces. Freeze cracking in dimethyl sulfoxide tended to cause fracture along cell surfaces and intracellular membranes.
