Effect of storage in formalin on organ weights of rabbits

The changes in weight of liver, kidneys, perirenal fat, adrenals, ovaries, and testes from a sample of 37 rabbits, Oryctolagus cuniculus (L.), following storage for up to 128 days in 10% formalin are described. The greatest changes caused by preservation occur in the first 24 h, but continue at a decreasing rate until by Day 32 only minor differences were found between successive weighings. In a large volume of formalin all tissue maintained greater weight than similar tissue stored in a small volume. Correction factors are necessary to estimate initial weights from material preserved in 10% formalin.