[Histonet] RE: Von Kossa staining on PMMA sections

[Swain, Frances L]

I believe that that is because of the thickness of the sections and the fact that they are in plastic.  Also if the plastic is GMA you cannot remove it and so therefore it takes longer for it to penetrate.   

Frances L. Swain HT(ASCP) A. A. S.
Special Procedures Technician
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery
Center for Orthopaedic Research
Barton Research Building 2R28
4301 West Markham Street
Little Rock AR 72205
(501) 686-8739 PHONE
(501) 686-8987 FAX
swainfrancesl <@t> uams.edu email

-----Original Message-----
From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Monfils, Paul
Sent: Thursday, March 12, 2009 10:20 AM
To: histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: [Histonet] Von Kossa staining on PMMA sections

The standard Von Kossa silver stain for calcium calls for 20 minutes in the silver nitrate solution under UV light.  There is a modified Von Kossa for plastic embedded bone sections, which is identical except it calls for a minimum of 6 hours in the silver nitrate solution under UV.  Does anyone know why such a long staining time is recommended?  Visually the calcium in the bone sections turns black within 20 minutes, so why is so much additional time needed?  Thanks.
_______________________________________________
Histonet mailing list
Histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

Confidentiality Notice: This e-mail message, including any attachments, is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information.  Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited.  If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply e-mail and destroy all copies of the original message.