Hi Hannah,

just to help most rapidly I would like to point you  to "Q&A" ( i. e. perhaps relevant questions and answers already ) to be found on RG - by using its [ full ] text search function: (the following only mentioned for your kind information if you did not know about that function yet):

Find (upper right side of display) in the TOP-menu-line left to the 'clock' icon: ['stilistic persons head and shoulders', a 'down-pointing arrowhead' and 'Search']:

left-click on the arrow mark (pull down menu), find "Questions" ,appearing "Search questions" , insert  e.g.:

|     PFA fixed cryo section brain mouse storage    |  

[ which - BTW - creates the following URL:  "https://www.researchgate.net/search.Search.html?type=question&query=PFA+fixed+cryo+section+brain+mouse+storage "  

or

| antigen retrieval methods  PFA fix cryo cut sections  |  

you'll find a lot of similar questions dealing with the matter (or at least containing the words you are searching for). 

And to be honest:  Naturally you CAN mount the fixed and OCT-"embedded" mouse brain sections onto slides. The question is: is such practice meaningful? Long term storage (definition: HOW LONG is LONG TERM?) without any precautionary measures (e.g. like wrapping with some kind of foil to prevent most rapid drying of section content due to low temp-induced "condensation / adsorption / water abstraction from the frozen tissue"). As of my understanding it is necessary (or might be of benefit) to get rid of the OCT prior to immunostaining..... 

There will be for sure other experts in the field - also regarding AgR - answering your concise but not new question(s).   Best of luck!

Dear Hannah,

Yes, you can mount the cryosections directly onto slides for storage.  I usually use the warm slide-pickup method, but I have also used the cold slide-pickup method where you orient the cryosection by using cold paintbrushes (in the cryostat chamber) onto a cold slide.  You then use your finger to apply warmth directly under the section so that it melts onto the slide.  Either way, I have a slide collection box (I prefer the long 25 section size) in the cryostat chamber that I keep my sections/slides in until I am finished sectioning.  I then close up the box and quickly place it inside of a freezer storage weight ziploc bag (sqeeze out the air).  I then place that bag inside of a second freezer storage weight ziploc bag before placing it into the freezer.  I know other people who let their sections dry onto their slides at room temperature before storage, but I have had bad results with that method with IHC, especially using fluorescent probes (increased non-specific background or reduced reactivity).

In order to prevent the sections from detaching from the slide before starting your IHC, you need to let the sealed box stand at room temperature for about 15 minutes.  Otherwise you will get cryocondensation of water from the atmosphere onto the slide.

The OCT will dissolve with a buffer rinse at the start of your IHC protocol.

I have never had to use antigen retrieval, so I am of no help there.

Good Luck!

Jill 

Thank you both for the very helpful answers! 

Dear Hannah, you're welcome ! Best of luck, WM

I am into Plant  Histology