[Immunocytochemical demonstration of catecholaminergic structures in paraffin sections of the rat brain using various methods of fixation].

The study was undertaken to investigate the effect of various methods of fixation of the brain upon the demonstrability of catecholaminergic structures using tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunocytochemical reaction. It was established that most complete demonstration of TH-containing structures was achieved after perfusion fixation with 4% paraformaldehyde followed by post-fixation in the Carnois fluid and after immersion fixation in the IHC zinc fixative (BD Pharmingen, U.S.A.). Immersion fixation in 4% paraformaldehyde, ethanol-formaldehyde, Carnois and Bouin fixatives can be used for demonstration of perikarya of catecholaminergic neurons.