Simple fixatives

3. improve nuclear detail and IHC antigenicity but may form precipitates
6. gives strong membrane contrast for EM but is extremely toxic
8. prevents tissue hardness when alone but leaves chromate pigment
10. preserves nucleoproteins with great nuclear detail but lyses RBCs
13. preserves soft tissue well and enhances trichrome staining but must have yellow removed
14. ideal for trichrome staining but overfixation can harm nucleic acid studies
15. preserves mitochondria but yields poor nuclear detail alone
17. gives excellent EM ultrastructure but penetrates slowly
18. solution preserves RBCs well but contains mercuric chloride which leaves pigment

1. preserves CNS tissue well but is limited in general use
2. preserves phospholipids well but not useful for EM
4. forms methylene bridges to stabilize proteins but may cause pigment in acidic conditions
5. enhances nuclear clarity but produces pigment requiring removal
7. enhances morphology and antigen preservation but may cause crystalline deposits
9. provides excellent lipid stabilization but poor nuclear detail when used alone
11. rapidly penetrates and coagulates proteins but causes brittleness
12. fixes quickly and preserves nucleic acids but causes shrinkage
16. solution yields excellent nuclear detail but is hazardous due to mercury content
17. penetrates faster and is less toxic than formaldehyde but may alter IHC