Optimal cutting temperature compound

Optimal cutting temperature compound (OCT compound) is used to embed tissue samples prior to frozen sectioning on a microtome-cryostat. This process is undertaken so as to mount slices (sections) of a sample onto slides for analysis.

Frozen section procedure: tissue embedded in optimal cutting temperature compound, mounted on a chuck in a cryostat and ready for section production

Components

From MSDS:

• 5-15% polyvinyl alcohol
• 1-10% polyethylene glycol
• 75-95% non-reactive ingredients

See also

• Microtome
• Cryostat

Further reading

• Turbett, Gavin; Sellner, Loryn (1997). "The use of optimal cutting temperature compound can inhibit amplification by polymerase chain reaction". Diagnostic Molecular Pathology. 6 (5): 298–303. doi:10.1097/00019606-199710000-00009. PMID 9458390.