Michel solution is recommended as transport medium for tissue undergoing immunofluorescence studies or needing to be unfixed for long transportation. Which is the correct transport medium?

• A. Michel solution
• B. Bouin solution
• C. Hollande solution
• D. Glutaraldehyde

Answer: (A)

The important idea is preserving antigen sites for immunofluorescence by keeping tissue unfixed during transport. Immunofluorescence relies on antibodies binding to native or near-native epitopes, so any fixative that cross-links proteins can mask those sites and reduce staining quality.

Michel's transport medium is designed as a fixative-free, isotonic buffer that preserves tissue in a near-native state while slowing autolysis during long transport. Because it does not fix or cross-link proteins, antigenicity remains accessible to antibodies, making it ideal for tissues destined for immunofluorescence studies or for unfixed preservation over time.

The other options are fixatives (Bouin’s, Hollande’s, and glutaraldehyde) that cross-link proteins and can mask epitopes, compromising subsequent immunofluorescent staining.