Rapid primary microwave-glutaraldehyde fixation preserves the plasma membrane and intracellular structures of the protozoan Tritrichomonas foetus.

Tritrichomonas foetus, a pathogenic protozoan, was used as a model to analyse microwave-stimulated fixation as a procedure of preparation of biological samples for electron microscopy of thin sections and freeze-fracture replicas. Good preservation of the protozoan structure was achieved by microwave-stimulated fixation and Epon polymerization. The membrane structure, as visualized in freeze-fracture replicas, was well preserved.