how do I preserve an embryo for classroom use?

[OCchickens]

Hi -- just wondered whether anyone had a suggestion of how to preserve a chick embryo for classroom use. These are from our recent hatch eggtopsies -- no chicks were killed for this purpose!!

 

[silkiechicken]

From what I would do.... which may not necessarily be the best or right way...

Depends on how big it is. If it's really small, like dime size, you can preserve it in 4% PFA by just dropping it in like 20 ml. One or two changes of PFA would be good to ensure you have enough in there to preserve it. If it's bigger, you might have to do more changes, maybe every 24 hours, for about a week to make sure all the tissues are penetrated. Then you just leave it floating in the liquid for how ever long you want in a no food allowed fridge... however... PFA isn't something you want in your house hold fridge lest you increase your chances of cancer.

You can try using 100% etOH to preserve it, but it will distort the embryo a bit more because it dehydrates the tissues rather than crosslinks them. Similar to the PFA, soak and change liquid for a day to a week or so and leave suspended. 100% ETOH won't hurt anyone and can be kept at room temperature. However, before the tissues are fixed, I suggest doing all the wash steps in a refrigerator.

Good luck!

 

[monarc23]

frameldahide? (sp?)

 

[daisychick]

http://urbanext.illinois.edu/eggs/res32-qa.html

go to this page and go all the way to the bottom..I think it is #91.

 

[rebelcowboysnb]

Vodka or tequila work. Ive seen bourbon used.

 

[Teach97]

Formalin works - basically diluted formaldahyde and they don't freak as much...still not touch friendly and such...you could use that to fix it and then put in alcohol...

 

[OCchickens]

Wow, I'm impressed with how much people know about this. What is PFA? Sounds scary in terms of the cancer stuff. What about formalin -- is is the same thing?

I'll check out the Illinois link.