OCT (Optimal Cutting Temperature) embedding medium is a water-soluble compound used primarily for embedding tissue samples for cryostat sectioning in histology and pathology enabling thin tissue sections to be cut at very low temperatures.
OCT Embedding Medium has multiple different uses within cryosectioning including, tissue support, rapid freezing, sectioning and section quality, adhesion to the slide and quick diagnosis.
Tissue Support and Stabilisation
OCT medium provides support to tissue samples, ensuring that they maintain their structural integrity during the freezing and sectioning process. This is particularly important for soft or delicate tissues that might otherwise deform or fragment.
Rapid Freezing
The medium facilitates rapid and uniform freezing of tissue samples, which is critical for preserving the cellular and molecular structure. Rapid freezing minimises ice crystals forming, which can damage cellular structures and distort histological details.
Cryostat Sectioning
In the cryostat, OCT medium surrounds the fresh tissue and solidifies upon freezing, creating a solid block that can be easily clamped and sectioned. The medium ensures that the tissue remains securely in place during the cutting process enabling thin, consistent sections.
The medium also enhances the quality of frozen sections by providing a clean-cutting surface, reducing tears, folds, and compression. This is crucial for accurate microscopic examination and diagnosis.
Why are OCT Embedding Mediums different colours?
Our range of OCT Embedding Mediums – Cryofix are available in 5 different colours, blue, green, pink, yellow and transparent. Using different colours can help distinguish between multiple samples with the same session or day. It allows you to process large batches and colour-code them and also enables tracking through different stages of processing and analysis. This is particularly useful in labs handling numerous samples simultaneously, reducing the risk of errors. The use of different coloured OCT embedding mediums also aids in distinguishing between tissues processed under different conditions or protocols.
Why is OCT Embedding Medium important?
OCT Embedding Medium is used in multiple different applications that play a pivotal part in patient diagnosis and research. Some applications the compound is used are:
Histological Analysis
OCT-embedded enables histopathologists to achieve cryostat-sectioned tissues used for a variety of histological analyses, including routine staining (e.g., Hematoxylin and Eosin), special stains, and immunohistochemistry. The quality of the sections is vital for accurate morphological assessment and diagnosis.
Cryostat sections are also used in research settings for studying tissue architecture, gene expression, protein localisation, and cellular interactions. The medium’s compatibility with various staining techniques makes it a valuable tool for both analysis and research.
Molecular Techniques
Frozen sections are often used for molecular techniques such as in situ hybridisation, fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH), and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Preserving nucleic acids and proteins in OCT-embedded tissues is essential for these applications.
Clinical Diagnostics
In clinical pathology, frozen section analysis is frequently performed for rapid intraoperative diagnosis. Surgeons may request a quick pathological evaluation of tissue margins or lymph nodes to guide surgical decisions. The use of an OCT medium ensures that the sections are of sufficient quality for reliable diagnosis within a short timeframe.
For more information about our Cryofix range of OCT Embedding Mediums, speak to our team or view the range here