Simple Method for Visualization of the Islets in Fixed But Otherwise Intact Pancreas

Abstract

A simple, inexpensive, reproducible method is described for prominently displaying the islets of Langerhans. The method consists of sequential arterial perfusion of the organ of the sacrificed animal with saline, formalin, hematoxylin, and water, followed by clearing in methyl salicylate. The procedure should be useful whenever islet tissue needs to be quantitatively distinquished from non islet tissue and fixation is allowable.