Davidson's Stock Solution

Reliable Fixative for Tissue Fixation and Histology 

In histological practice, obtaining reproducible, high-quality tissue sections begins many days before a slide ever reaches the microscope. It begins with good fixation, a crucial step that will determine the integrity, contrast, and quality of the end-stained sample. One solution that is among the most dependable and best utilized for this purpose is Davidson's Stock Solution, a fixative relied upon in both human and veterinary pathology for decades. 

At Eng Scientific, we supply lab-quality Davidson's Stock Solution in convenient ready-to-use formulations to provide reliable results and simplified handling in research and high-throughput settings. 

What Is Davidson's Stock Solution? 

Davidson's Stock Solution is a compound fixative that was initially designed for fixation of fish and aquatic tissues but has seen broad application across histopathology generally, and particularly for soft and delicate tissues such as eyes, testes, lymph nodes, and gastrointestinal biopsies. 

The historical constitution consists of: 

• Formaldehyde 

• Alcohol (Ethanol or Methanol) 

• Acetic Acid 

• Distilled Water 

This combination provides a synergistic mix: formaldehyde cross-links proteins, alcohol facilitates penetration and dehydration, and acetic acid maintains nuclear integrity. The end result is a solution that not only fixes quickly but also maintains delicate cellular architecture—especially valuable when dealing with tissues that are easily distorted.  

Why Use Davidson's Instead of Other Fixatives? 

Davidson's compares favorably to routine 10% neutral buffered formalin (NBF) in certain situations: 

• Superior nuclear preservation: Especially valuable in high-resolution hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining 

• Reduced tissue shrinkage: In contrast to formalin, minimizes artifact distortion in delicate tissues 

• Quick fixation time: Best when speed of tissue processing is essential 

• Ideal for soft tissues: Lymph nodes, GI tract, reproductive tissues, and others 

These features have established Davidson's as the most favored fixative in veterinary pathology, marine biology, research institutions, and specialty diagnostic histology laboratories. 

Applications in Histology and Pathology 

Davidson's Stock Solution is applied in: 

• Tissue biopsy preservation 

• Fixation of eyes, testes, and GI tract tissues 

• Fish and marine animal tissue research 

• Veterinary diagnostic laboratories 

• Immunohistochemistry and special stains 

Due to its fast fixation and minimization of processing artifacts, pathologists frequently utilize Davidson's for tissues where nuclear clarity is essential for diagnosis.  

Fixation Protocols: Best Practices 

Protocols differ by lab and by tissue but all commonly are: 

• Fixation Time: 6 to 24 hours based on tissue thickness 

• Volume Ratio: Employ 15–20x the tissue volume 

• Post-Fixation: Tissues in certain protocols are moved to NBF following preliminary Davidson's fixation for better sectioning compatibility 

Always adhere to safety procedures and refer to your lab's SOPs, particularly when handling formaldehyde-based solutions. 

Product Availability at Eng Scientific 

We at Eng Scientific offer high-purity Davidson's Stock Solution in ready-to-use formats. Our solutions are made according to rigorous lab-grade standards and are: 

• Filtered and quality-controlled 

• Supplied in clear, labeled HDPE bottles 

• Available in 500 mL, 1L, and 4L sizes  

• Accompanied by a Certificate of Analysis (COA) and Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) 

We also offer custom bulk quantities for institutional and research centers. Whether you're processing 10 slides a week or 500 samples a day, we can tailor packaging to meet your workflow needs. 

Safety and Handling 

Davidson's has formaldehyde, a hazardous chemical. Proper laboratory safety protocols have to be adhered to:

• Work in a fume hood 
• Wear the correct PPE such as gloves and goggles 
• Keep in cool, ventilated places 
• We provide all safety documentation and update it with regulatory requirements. 

Who Uses Davidson's Stock Solution? 

Our Davidson's Stock Solution is trusted by: 

• Academic institutions that are teaching histology courses and conducting research 

• Clinical and pathology laboratories that are processing biopsies 

• Veterinary diagnostic facilities analyzing animal tissues 

• Ocean and aquatic scientists researching fish and amphibian life 

Its reliability and versatility make it a standard in the industry where clarity and precision are not an option. 

Conclusion: Accurate Fixation for High-Fidelity Outcomes 

Biological tissue preservation is as much a science as an art. And where the result of a diagnosis or research result depends on microscopic clarity, the quality of your fixative is crucial. 

Davidson's Stock Solution provides a well-tried, balanced solution to fixation. It provides higher nuclear detail, quicker processing, and less shrinkage than formalin, perfect for high-stakes laboratory work. 

Ready to Order? 

Find our Davidson's Stock Solution products at Eng Scientific. You're a research lab, diagnostic lab, or university, we have lab-grade, reliable formulas with quick turnaround and bulk discounts available.