autofluorescence of rainbow trout cells

Rosemarie Catherine Ganassin (rcganass@sciborg.uwaterloo.ca)
Fri, 25 Oct 1996 16:28:33 -0400 (EDT)

I work with rainbow trout blood cells, and am having problems with
autofluorescence. We are attempting immunofluorescent staining, but the
background levels are very high and are making it impossible to
distinguish specific staining. Examining an unstained blood smear under
UV light shows overall fluorescence in RBC's and the leukocytes are even
more strongly fluorescent, particularly around the periphery of the
cells. Does anyone have any explanation of what could be causing this,
and any suggestions of how to eliminate it?

This is also evident in other fish tissues.