Most mineral oils are fluorescent, so paraffin wax might well be.  But normally it's removed.  Maybe the problem is insufficient removeal of the wax before mounting?

                                   Guy

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-----Original Message-----
From: Confocal Microscopy List [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Martin Wessendorf
Sent: Thursday, 16 April 2009 11:16 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: embedding medium

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
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Martin Wessendorf, Ph.D.                   office: (612) 626-0145
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