Retention, localization and staining of lipids in tissues embedded in water-miscible methacrylates: using the solubility parameter to analyse the influences of resins, plasticizers, and other reagents.

The influences of a wide variety of technical factors (the nature of the monomer and plasticizer, the duration and temperatures of the processing steps, etc.) on retention, localization and staining of lipid in tissues embedded in water-miscible methacrylates were assessed experimentally. This analysis was aided by the use of the solubility parameters of the substances as quantitative indicators of miscibility. The technical requirements for, and limits of, lipid histochemistry using resin sections have therefore been established on a quantitative basis.