What is the recommended duration for dehydrating tissues in running water?

The recommended duration for dehydrating tissues in running water is typically between 1 to 12 hours. This duration is important to ensure thorough penetration and removal of any excess water from the tissue specimens. The process allows for the tissues' cellular structures to be adequately prepared for subsequent processing steps, such as embedding in paraffin.

Dehydration is a critical step in histological preparation because it ensures that the final sections can be cut more effectively, leading to clearer histological analysis. If tissues are not adequately dehydrated, it can lead to artifacts and poorer quality sections, complicating microscopic interpretations.

Shorter durations, such as 1-3 hours, may not be sufficient for larger or more complex tissue samples, while excessive durations (like several days) might lead to over-dehydration and potential tissue damage. Therefore, the range of 1 to 12 hours represents a balance that facilitates effective tissue preparation while minimizing the risk of compromising the tissue integrity.