[Histonet] fish scales

[John Kiernan]

Fish scales are calcified. Depending on the type of fish, they may contain dentin, bone or both. My sources: Two zoology textbooks and also a Wikipedia entry, Scales (zoology) that reads easily. Even boneless fishes like sharks have calcified teeth and skin.
 
John Kiernan
Anatomy, UWO
London, Canada
= = =
----- Original Message -----
From: gayle.callis <@t> bresnan.net
Date: Thursday, December 10, 2009 15:50
Subject: Re: [Histonet] fish scales
To: "Perry, Margaret" <Margaret.Perry <@t> sdstate.edu>, histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu, "histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu" <histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu>

> Are fish scales even calcified? If so decalcifying may not work. 
> If keratin - softening with ammonia water, Mollifex(sp?), Nair 
> which is alkaline. I would be more tempted to use GMA plastic to 
> match hardness of scales.
> I have a protocol for horse hooves. If you want will send 
> privately. This is also in HistoLogic, author is Jane 
> Chladny.  
> Gayle Callis  
> Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: "Perry, Margaret" <Margaret.Perry <@t> sdstate.edu>
> Date: Thu, 10 Dec 2009 12:32:09 
> To: 
> histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu<histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu>Subject: [Histonet] fish scales
> 
> We are trying to cut fish scales that have been 
> decalcified.  They are chunking out when we try to cut 
> them.  I think we need to soften the keratin and I looked 
> in the archives for the right dilution of ammonium hydroxide to 
> use.  One post said 5% the other said straight.  What 
> dilution do you recommend?  I'm think it would probably be 
> the same as what you use on toenails.
> 
> Margaret Perry HT(ASCP)
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