Lung fixation for the preservation of air spaces

The procedures for the fixation of entire lungs of small rodents are presented together with various techniques used to verify the structural integrity of the lung tissue. To achieve this, the lungs were dissected out from rats and mice killed by ether overdose.: The specimens were rinsed with isotonic saline and fixation solution under low vacuum conditions. After fixation, they were dried using alcohol and stared in a noncollapsed state (i.e., state. of inhalation). Light and scanning electron microscopy as well as magnetic resonance imaging using hyperpolarized He-3 were employed to verify, the intact state on interalveolar septa and walls of smaller bronchi as well as accessibility of the air spaces.