[Histonet] Alizarin Red on undecalcified bone

[Sean McBride]

Hi Mesru,

1.  Cryosectioning followed by Alizarin red staining may work.  I'm not well-versed in this technique, so I  will let other experts in this technique guide you.

2.  Alizarin red functions by binding to calcium ions. Acids or chelating agents used in de-mineralization processes may very well cleave the alizarin-calcuim bond, resulting in loss of the differentiating stain.  If time, materials and specimens are of a crucial nature, I would not recommend experimenting with this technique.

3.  For years, I have worked with pmma embedded mineralized bone tissues with much success.  There are a variety of stains to assist you in differentiation of various bone related structures.  If you are not well versed with these techniques, there are labs, myself included, which can give you some pointers or contract to do the work for you.


Best regards,

Sean

Sean McBride
Senior Scientific Specialist
Research Histology Services
Bone Tissue Engineering Center
Carnegie Mellon Research Institute
Suite 4311
700 Technology Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15219-3124

571-989-BONE (m)
412-268-8275 (o)
412-268-8275 (fax)


smcbride <@t> andrew.cmu.edu 

> Dear Histology Experts,
> 
> 
> I need your help. I am trying to stain undecalcified bone (adult mouse
> limb) with Alizarin Red S.
> I was thinking about two options:
> 1. Fixed frozen sections with Cryojane tape transfer system then staining
> the sections with Alizarin Red.
> 2. Alcohol fixed whole limb (whole mount preparation) stained with Alizarin
> Red then decalcified and processed for paraffin embedding/sectioning. I am
> not sure if the dye will survive decalcification and paraffin processing
> procedures.
> 3. I am trying to avoid doing plastic embedding unless there is no other
> option.
> 
> Any insights are highly appreciated.
> 
> Regards,
> Mesru
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