Question: in situ hybridization

[Ward Lab]

For the past month, I've had a bit of difficulty trying to get in situ 
hybridization to work on whole mount adult worms.  I've been using an 
adapted version of the embryo procedure from Seydoux and Fire (Ch 14 in 
the "worm protocols" book).  Now I'm interested in trying to do the in 
hybridization on whole adult worms in suspension.  SO- I'm about to try a 
different in situ hybridization procedure and I was wondering if anyone 
out there has any advice before I start.  I'll be using the procedure 
detailed by Albertson, et al. in Chapter 15 of the "worm protocols" book 
(edited by Epstein and Shakes).  One specific question I have about this 
protocol is whether or not it's necessary to preform BOTH of the fixing 
steps (first in formaldehyde, then in paraformaldehyde) if I won't be 
freezing down the worms before I begin the Pretreatment steps.  

As for the Seydoux and Fire protocol, I'd also be interested in any 
suggestions on how I might improve on the penetration of my probe.  I 
don't think the freeze cracking is doing enough to get through the adult 
cuticle, and the proteinase K digestion tends to digest the worms right 
off the slides...  

PLEASE SEND HELP!
Thanks,
S. McKnight