[Histonet] Eosinophilic new bone formation

[Jack Ratliff]

In decalcified sections of bone, yes the osteoid or dense unmineralized collagen matrix (mostly type I) will stain darker than mature native demineralized bone. Even though the mature bone has been demineralized, it is still more densely compact as compared to the newly formed bone that has not begun mineralization and . In resin embedded undemineralized sections of bone, the contrast is exactly opposite when staining with Von Kossa and counterstaining with MacNeal's tetrachrome and similar to decalcified sections in a Goldner's trichrome where the acid fuchsin stains osteoid darker than the light green does the mineralized bone. So the answer is yes, tissue density is what plays the major role in contrast staining and stain intensity.

Jack

On Feb 18, 2011, at 6:45 AM, "Keller, Pat" <KellerP <@t> ent.wustl.edu> wrote:

> We have always noticed, at least in the middle/inner ear, that newly
> deposited bone stains darker than mature bone, both with H&E and
> toluidine blue.  Is this increased eosinophilic quality due to a lack of
> mineralization and therefore higher density of osteoid components in the
> new bone or some other difference in composition of the osteoid?  The
> contrast is quite striking when we observe bone remodeling due to middle
> ear infections, so I wanted to be able to offer an accurate explanation
> of why that is...
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Patricia Keller
> Sr. Research Tech/Core Histologist
> Washington University School of Medicine
> Department of Otolaryngology
> 4566 Scott Ave
> Campus Box 8115
> St. Louis, Mo   63110
> 314-747-7166
> 
> 
> 
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