SKIN REPLICATION PROCEDURE FOR SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPE

An improved method for preparing polyethylene replicas of skin from silicone rubber molds was developed for examination in the scanning electron microscope. Electron micrographs of the replicas compare favorably to those of fixed tissues from the same animal. Because of the great depth of field of the scanning electron microscope, both loosely attached epidermal cells and the background epidermal surface can be seen simultaneously in sharp focus, thus providing a more complete picture of the topography of skin.