• Applied Microscopy
• /
• v.28 no.4
• /
• pp.465-475
• /
• 1998

The cryoprotection, section retrieval and embedding methods were studied for the preservation of ultrastructure of ultracryomicrosections in immunoelectron microscopy. The results obtained were as follows. 1. The cryoprotection of ultrastructure with a mixture containing 1.7 M sucrose and 15% polyvinylpyrrolidone was better than that with 2.3 M sucrose. The stretching caused by surface tension and the electron lucent holes decreased more in the cryosections infused with 2.3 M sucrose than in those with the mixture. 2. The difference between section retrieval solutions in cases of cryoprotection with 2.3 M sucrose was that the destructive .effects such as electron lucent holes and stretching between myofribrils were less in a mixture containing 1% methylcellulose and 2.3 M sucrose than in 2.3 M sucrose. The difference was obscure in the mixture containing 1.7 M sucrose and 15% PVP, but the destructive effects were slightly less in a mixture containing 1% mthylcellulose and 2.3 M sucrose than in 2.3 M sucrose or 1% methylcellulose. 3. The embedding of cryosection on drying with 2% PVA or 2% methylcellulose exhibited some protective effect during observation with transmission electron microscope, but made the ultrastructure more obscure. 4. Mitochondrial membrane and cristae and myofilaments were well delinated in sections infused with 2.3 M sucrose and retrieved with 1% methylcellulose and 2.3 M sucrose. In summary, it is suggested that the cryoprotection with 2.3 M sucrose and section retrieval with a mixture containing 1% methylcellulose and 2.3 M sucrose are good for the ultrastructure of cryosections.