Diethylene glycol distearate as an embedding medium for immunofluorescence microscopy

Diethylene glycol distearate was tested as an embedding medium for indirect immunofluorescence microscopy. Rhodnius ovarioles were embedded in diethylene glycol distearate, sectioned at 1–2 μm, mounted onto coverlips, and stained with anti-tubulin antibodies followed by fluorescein-conjugated secondary antibodies. Flat, brightly stained sections with low background fluorescence were routinely obtained, suggesting that diethylene glycol diesterate may be generally applicable for immunofluorescence localization of cytoskeletal proteins in tissues.