Hollande's Fixative

From AMTS, the most trusted name in tissue fixation.

Hollande's Fixative is universally known as a modification of Bouin's solution. However, it has many properties that separate the two. Hollande's Fixative stabilizes RBC membranes and granules of eosinphils and endocrine cells. It's a stable fixative that will also decalcify small samples of bone. Over the past couple decades; Hollande's Fixative has become more and more useful as a fixative for specimens of the gastrointestinal tract.

Tissue fixed in Hollande's can be stained with most special stains, but the fixative must be washed out before the specimen is moved into a phosphate-buffered formalin solution. If this isn't done, salts that are present in the solution will form insoluble phosphate precipitate.

If Bouin's and Hollande's Fixative are so close in makeup; how come one is yellow and the other green?

Great question! Hollande's Fixative is green because it contains Cupric Acetate. The Cupric Acetate acts as a mordant for Hematoxylin staining (a mordant allows for better penetration of dyes and stains into tissue, therefore providing the correct staining pattern). Cupric salts (acetate, chloride, nitrate, and sulfate) are never used alone in tissue fixatives, but in combination with other components.

Hollande's Fixative from American MasterTech comes in two convenient sizes, liters and gallons. It is also available in pre-filled specimen containers.