Novel Formalin Alternative for Preserving Tissues for Histology

M. Scott Echols, DVM, Dipl ABVP (Avian), Mobile Avian Surgical Services, The Medical Center for Birds, Park City, Utah

Our team has just started exploring novel means to preserve tissues without the use of formaldehyde, phenol, methanol or ethanol (the most commonly used chemicals in tissue preservation). The goal is to find a safer alternative to these chemicals (especially formaldehyde) and provide greater use of the preserved tissues (formaldehyde is not acceptable for DNA, RNA or electron microscope analysis). Shown is a picture of a pigeon preserved using a novel process and then necropsied 2 months later after simple refrigeration only. The image shows the exposed organs with minimal (if any) tissue degradation. Blinded pathology studies are scheduled as the next step in the study.