The comparison of hind limb mass loss in house mice preserved with advanced fixative solutions of ethanol-glycerine and 4% formaldehyde

Cadaver preservation usually uses formalin as a fixative solution. However, formalin has many negative effects on health and the environment. To reduce these negative effects, an alternative fixative is needed to be explored. Ethanol-glycerin (EG) can potentially be an alternative to formaldehyde as a fixative solution. Therefore, this study aims to compare the hind limb mass loss in mice treated with advanced preservation of EG and 4% formalin. This research method used adult male house mice (Mus musculus) aged 3-6 months with body weight ranging from 20-30 grams. The research group consisted of the control group using 10% of formalin, the EG group using ethanol-glycerin, and the formalin 4% group using 4% of formalin as a fixative solution. Hind limb mass and total were observed after 6 weeks post burial. The results showed a hind limb mass loss after 6 weeks for each group. Hind limb The hind mass loss in the EG fixative group had a significant mass loss compared to the 4% formalin fixative group on a weekly basis.