Assessing the effectiveness of 30% sodium chloride aqueous solution for the preservation of fixed anatomical specimens: a 5-year follow-up study.
Abstract: Anatomical specimens used in human or veterinary anatomy laboratories are usually prepared with formaldehyde (a cancerous and teratogenic substance), glycerin (an expensive and viscous fluid), or ethanol (which is flammable). This research aimed to verify the viability of an aqueous 30% sodium chloride solution for preservation of anatomical specimens previously fixed with formaldehyde. Anatomical specimens of ruminant, carnivorous, equine, swine and birds were used. All were previously fixed with an aqueous 20% formaldehyde solution and held for 7 days in a 10% aqueous solution of the same active ingredient. During the first phase of the experiment, small specimens of animal tissue previously fixed in formaldehyde were distributed in vials with different concentrations of formaldehyde, with or without 30% sodium chloride solution, a group containing only 30% sodium chloride, and a control group containing only water. During this phase, no contamination was observed in any specimen containing 30% sodium chloride solution, whether alone or in combination with different concentrations of formaldehyde. In the second phase of the experiment, the 30% sodium chloride solution, found to be optimal in the first phase of the experiment, was tested for its long-term preservation properties. For a period of 5 years, the preserved specimens were evaluated three times a week for visual contamination, odors, and changes in color and texture. There was no visual contamination or decay found in any specimen. Furthermore, no strange odors, or changes in color or softness were noted. The 30% sodium chloride solution was determined to be effective in the preservation of anatomic specimens previously fixed in formaldehyde.
© 2014 Anatomical Society.
Publication Date: 2014-04-25 PubMed ID: 24762210PubMed Central: PMC4089352DOI: 10.1111/joa.12185Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The study investigates the effectiveness of a 30% sodium chloride solution in preserving anatomical specimens that were previously treated with formaldehyde. The study spanned a five-year period and concluded that this approach is efficient for the long-term conservation of these specimens.
Objective of Research
- The primary aim of this research was to ascertain the suitability of a 30% sodium chloride aqueous solution as a preservation medium for anatomical specimens initially fixed in formaldehyde.
- Formaldehyde, a cancerous and teratogenic substance, is conventionally used in laboratories for human or veterinary anatomy. The researchers aimed to establish a safer alternative for preservation.
Specimens and Procedure
- Anatomical specimens used in the study were obtained from a variety of animal species like ruminants, carnivorous, equine, swine, and birds.
- All these specimens had been preserved initially in a 20% aqueous formaldehyde solution for 7 days, followed by holding them in a 10% aqueous solution of the same compound.
Experiment Details
- The experiment comprised of two phases. In the first phase, small specimens were put into vials with varying concentrations of formaldehyde, with or without the 30% sodium chloride solution. A control group had only water.
- No contamination was observed in the samples containing the 30% sodium chloride solution, either standalone or mixed with different concentrations of formaldehyde, indicating its effectiveness in the preservation of the specimens.
Test for Long-Term Preservation
- In the second phase, the researchers carried out long-term tests on the specimens for a period of 5 years, analysing the specimens three times a week.
- Assessment parameters included visuals of contamination, smell emanated, and changes in the color and texture of the specimens.
- It was found that none of the specimens showed signs of visual contamination, weird smells or any changes in color, nor any signs of softening.
Conclusion
- The study concluded the effectiveness of a 30% sodium chloride solution in the long-term preservation of formaldehyde-fixed anatomical specimens.
- This solution presented an efficient method to prevent contamination, color or texture changes and decay of these specimens.
Cite This Article
APA
de Oliveira FS.
(2014).
Assessing the effectiveness of 30% sodium chloride aqueous solution for the preservation of fixed anatomical specimens: a 5-year follow-up study.
J Anat, 225(1), 118-121.
https://doi.org/10.1111/joa.12185 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Departmento de Morfologia e Fisiologia Animal, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Follow-Up Studies
- Sodium Chloride
- Solutions
- Specimen Handling / methods
- Tissue Fixation
- Tissue Preservation / methods
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