TY - JOUR
T1 - Revisiting the scientific method to improve rigor and reproducibility of immunohistochemistry in reproductive science
AU - Manuel, Sharrón L.
AU - Johnson, Brian W.
AU - Frevert, Charles W.
AU - Duncan, Francesca E.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2018 The Author(s).
PY - 2018/10/1
Y1 - 2018/10/1
N2 - Immunohistochemistry (IHC) is a robust scientific tool whereby cellular components are visualized within a tissue, and this method has been and continues to be a mainstay for many reproductive biologists. IHC is highly informative if performed and interpreted correctly, but studies have shown that the general use and reporting of appropriate controls in IHC experiments is low. This omission of the scientific method can result in data that lack rigor and reproducibility. In this editorial, we highlight key concepts in IHC controls and describe an opportunity for our field to partner with the Histochemical Society to adopt their IHC guidelines broadly as researchers, authors, ad hoc reviewers, editorial board members, and editors-in-chief. Such cross-professional society interactions will ensure that we produce the highest quality data as new technologies emerge that still rely upon the foundations of classic histological and immunohistochemical principles.
AB - Immunohistochemistry (IHC) is a robust scientific tool whereby cellular components are visualized within a tissue, and this method has been and continues to be a mainstay for many reproductive biologists. IHC is highly informative if performed and interpreted correctly, but studies have shown that the general use and reporting of appropriate controls in IHC experiments is low. This omission of the scientific method can result in data that lack rigor and reproducibility. In this editorial, we highlight key concepts in IHC controls and describe an opportunity for our field to partner with the Histochemical Society to adopt their IHC guidelines broadly as researchers, authors, ad hoc reviewers, editorial board members, and editors-in-chief. Such cross-professional society interactions will ensure that we produce the highest quality data as new technologies emerge that still rely upon the foundations of classic histological and immunohistochemical principles.
KW - controls
KW - formalin fixed paraffin embedded
KW - histology
KW - immunohistochemistry
KW - reproductive tissues
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U2 - 10.1093/biolre/ioy094
DO - 10.1093/biolre/ioy094
M3 - Review article
C2 - 29688318
AN - SCOPUS:85055627618
VL - 99
SP - 673
EP - 677
JO - Biology of Reproduction
JF - Biology of Reproduction
SN - 0006-3363
IS - 4
ER -