Comparison of formalin and formalin substitution fixation effects on time dependent postmortem changes in rat testis

Although formalin is one of the main substances which is using for tissue fixation, it is harmful for public health. Thus, it is necessary to replace by its substitutions. The aim of the study is comparison of fixation ability of formalin and a formalin substitution in time dependent post mortem changes prevention in testis tissue of rat. To this propose, 10 % buffered formalin and a commercial formalin substitution were used. Sampling of rat testis tissue was done on different hours after death. The samples were weighted and then immersed in two above mentioned fixatives. After 48 h, they were processed, embedded, sectioned and stained. The results showed testis weight reduced, and architecture of the tissue was missed. However, both fixatives had somewhat preserving effects on post mortem changes in tissues. This study showed the two fixatives had similar results with limit differences. Therefore, formalin could easily be replaced with substitutions. Although, they are more expensive than formalin, but considering lesser toxicity, the difference is reasonable.