Timed Acid Bath Effects on Kidney Podocytes Prepared for Scanning Electron Microscopy

Authors

B. J. Moore, University of Illinois at Urbana
K. R. Holmes, University of Illinois at Urbana

Abstract

In perfusion fixation of dog kidney glomeruli, observation of tear fractured surfaces by scanning electron microscopy reveals the deposition of "debris" on the surface of glomerular visceral epithelium (podocytes) that is not deposited on other kidney tissue surfaces. It is of concern to remove this debris without damage to tissue surfaces. A 5 minute bath in 8N HCI (hydrochloric acid) following postfixation in 1% OsO₄ (osmium tetroxide) removes only some of the debris. A 10 minute acid bath removes this debris without visible damage to podocyte surface structures such as cilia, plicae or blebs. A 20 minute acid bath is destructive to these surface features.

Recommended Citation

Moore, B. J. and Holmes, K. R. (1991) "Timed Acid Bath Effects on Kidney Podocytes Prepared for Scanning Electron Microscopy," Scanning Microscopy: Vol. 5: No. 2, Article 13.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/microscopy/vol5/iss2/13