HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Rittenburg, J. H. Articles by Stern, M. D. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Rittenburg, J. H. Articles by Stern, M. D.

A Technique for Preparing Ciliated Rumen Protozoa for Scanning Electron Microscopy

University of Maine¹, Orono 04473

Abstract

A rapid and efficient method of preparing ciliated rumen protozoa for scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was developed. Rumen contents were removed from a fistulated sheep and filtered through cheesecloth. The rumen fluid was then placed in a separatory funnel and incubated for 45 min at 39 C. The protozoal sludge which settled to the bottom of the flask was removed and fixed with glutaraldehyde. The fixed cells were collected on a membrane filter, washed with buffer, dehydrated in ethanol and then soaked in amyl acetate. The protozoa were subjected to critical point dehydration using CO₂ as the intermediary fluid and then coated with gold or gold-palladium alloy before being viewed under the scanning electron microscope.

¹ Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences.