What is in Gendre fixative?

• A. 95% alcohol, acetic acid, formaldehyde, picric acid
• B. Absolute alcohol
• C. Formaldehyde, mercuric chloride
• D. Copper acetate and picric acid

Answer: (A)

Gendre fixative is a rapid-penetrating mixture that combines a high-concentration alcohol with acetic acid, formaldehyde, and picric acid. The 95% alcohol component helps with quick penetration and preserves lipids, while acetic acid fixes and swells nuclear and cytoplasmic components to improve detail. Formaldehyde cross-links proteins to stabilize tissue structure, and picric acid acts as a mordant and enhances staining characteristics, contributing to overall fixation quality. This specific combination—95% alcohol, acetic acid, formaldehyde, and picric acid—distinguishes Gendre fixative from options that use only alcohol, or that pair formaldehyde with mercuric chloride, or that include copper acetate, which are not characteristic of Gendre fixative.