I want to prepare birds' blood smears in plates, using methanol as mixative agent. Could anyone tell me about the procedure I have to follow (i.e. duration period of fixation)?
In my experience blood smears (human) onto coverslips can be air dried and stored at RT in the dark up to a week without fixation. Its is actually better to store them without fixation if paraformaldehyde and IF staining is going to follow. As for fixation, in my hands methanol/acetone (7:#) works best. All the best, Varvara
fixation of the blood smears for 10-15 min. , dry the smears and put into the box. Best time for the fixation - 3-24h after preparation of the smears. Staining - 1-10 days after fixation.