An improved mounting method for observation of thick specimens using confocal microscopy

When applying aqueous media to mount thick specimens, air bubbles occur frequently between coverslips and slide glasses. This results in an increase of background signal by confocal microscopy. Using Spurr's resin as a mounting medium, we could observe thick specimens with oil immersion objective lens without the use of coverslips, then avoid air bubbles near the specimen. Fading of the fluorescence appeared to be less in specimens mounted by the resin than in specimens mounted by aqueous media. Further, the new method increased depth of field so that more planes of specimens could be analyzed.