Microvascular casting of the lung: effects of various fixation protocols.

Although techniques for preparing specimens for light and electron microscopy are well established, few studies have sought to establish methods for corrosion casting of the microscopic vessels of the lung. The effects of two concentrations of glutaraldehyde, formaldehyde, and no fixative (saline control) on the filling and structure of the microvascular casts of the lung were studied. All fixatives were infused 5 minutes before casting. Formaldehyde's fixation effects were intermediate between those of glutaraldehyde and no fixation. Leakage of casting material was increased in the animals that were fixed less. Digestion time was prolonged and more undigested tissue was found in the group receiving the concentrated glutaraldehyde, although the difference in neither of these features alone reached statistical significance. Circumferential bands occurred more frequently in the large vessel casts of the less fixed animals, which may account for the less filling microvasculature in these lungs. However, good quality casts were obtained with each method.