samrina aslam wrote:

> Does anyone know of an embedding medium which can be used in place of 
> paraffin, to reduce the autofluoresence produced? 
> 
> Is there any literature available related to this topic?

I'm unaware of paraffin causing autofluorescence.  The usual causes in 
histochemistry are:

1)  Glutaraldehyde fixation, which produces high levels of autofluorescence.
2)  Formaldehyde fixation for extended periods of time--also can cause 
autofluorescence
3)  Lipofuscin--an autofluorescent pigment which accumulates in 
lysosomes with age.  It's more of a problem with older animals than 
younger ones.

--Autofluorescence from formaldehyde or low levels of glutaraldehyde can 
be treated with NaBH4.  See: "Reduction of background autofluorescence 
in brain sections following immersion in sodium borohydride."  Clancy B. 
and Cauller LJ. J. Neuroscience Methods. 83(2):97-102, 1998 Sep 1.

--Lipfuscin autofluorescence can be decreased with Cu++ ion or Sudan 
Black.   "Reduction of lipofuscin-like autofluorescence in fluorescently 
labeled tissue."  Schnell SA. Staines WA. Wessendorf MW.
J. Histochemistry & Cytochemistry. 47(6):719-30, 1999 Jun.

Good luck!

Martin Wessendorf
-- 
Martin Wessendorf, Ph.D.                   office: (612) 626-0145
Assoc Prof, Dept Neuroscience                 lab: (612) 624-2991
University of Minnesota             Preferred FAX: (612) 624-8118
6-145 Jackson Hall, 321 Church St. SE    Dept Fax: (612) 626-5009
Minneapolis, MN  55455
**MY E-MAIL ADDRESS HAS CHANGED.  PLEASE USE [log in to unmask] **