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The Histopathology Section

The histopathology section of the Animal Health Centre is responsible for the routine preparation of stained tissue sections mounted on glass microscope slides. Many tissues are derived from necropsies completed within the Animal Health Centre, while others originate from fixed tissues submitted by veterinary practitioners throughout British Columbia. Prepared tissue sections encompass all varieties of animal species, including fetal tissues.

Tissues are trimmed from necropsy specimens previously fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin.  Overnight, automated tissue processors take the tissues through increasing concentrations of ethanols, followed by xylene and, finally, into molten paraffin wax.  Tissues are then embedded into molds and cooled in the freezer.  The resulting blocks are sectioned at 3-6um thick using a manual microtome and mounted onto glass microscope slides.  After spending 35 minutes in a 65C oven, they are placed onto the automated stainer.

Sections are stained routinely with hemotoxylin and eosin (H&E) prior to microscope examination.Stained tissue sections are ready for examination by the pathologist twenty-four hours after fixed tissues are forwarded to the Histopathology section.  Specific diagnostic tests using special stains may also be used, if required.  Immuno-histochemistry staining for specific pathogens (disease-causing agents) has been introduced to assist the pathologist by directly identifying these pathogens in tissue sections.

J. Coates, DVM, MVSc, Section Head
S. Etheridge, BSc, RT, Lab Scientist
J. Cue-Gonzalez, BSc, Lab Technician
J. Taylor, Lab Technician

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