Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Correlation between Alcian Blue staining of glycosaminoglycans of cat nucleus pulposus and TEM X-ray probe microanalysis

  • Papers
  • Published:
The Histochemical Journal Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Synopsis

The nucleus pulposus of cat intervertebral disc was examined after staining glycosaminoglycans with Alcian Blue and the results correlated with TEM X-ray probe microanalysis. In unstained sections a difference in copper levels between tissues and resin was detected. In tissue stained with Alcian blue before embedding, the copper levels were slightly increased and the morphological appearance of the intercellular material was amorphous. In sections restained after cutting, the relative levels of copper in the resin were considerably increased and tissue levels were significantly higher than in the resin. Moreover, the morphology of the intercellular material was altered from a rather amorphous material to a network. Sulphur levels behaved in similar manner to copper levels but any correlation between the elements was due to factors unrelated to glycosaminoglycan staining and probably resulted from contaminating sulphur.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Behnke, O. &Zelander, T. (1970). Preservation of intercellular substances by the cationic dye Alcian blue in preparative procedures for electron microscopy.U. Ultrastruct. Res. 31, 424–38.

    Google Scholar 

  • Butler, W. F. &Fujioka, T. (1972). Fine structure of the nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral disc of the cat.Anat. Anz. 132, 465–75.

    Google Scholar 

  • Butler, W. F. &Pousty, L. (1977). Staining of glycosaminoglycans in intervertebral disc cells.Res. Vet. Sci. 23, 351–5.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chandler, J. A. (1973). Recent developments in analytical electron microscopy.J. Microscopy 98, 359–78.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pousty, I. &Butler, W. F. (1978). Staining of glycosaminoglycans of intervertebral disc tissue.Res. Vet. Sci. 25, 182–7.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rodriguez, E. M. (1969). Fixation of the central nervous system by perfusion of the cerebral ventricles with a threefold aldehyde mixture.Brain Res. 15, 395–412.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ruggeri, A., Dell'orbo, C. &Quacci, D. (1975). Electron microscopic visualisation of proteoglycans with Alcian Blue.Histochem. J. 7, 187–97.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schofield, B., Williams, B. R. &Doty, S. (1975). Alcian Blue staining of cartilage for electron microscopy. Application of the critical electrolyte concentration principle.Histochem. J. 7, 139–49.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anatomy, University of Bristol, England

    W. F. Butler & P. F. Heap

Authors
  1. W. F. Butler
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. P. F. Heap
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Butler, W.F., Heap, P.F. Correlation between Alcian Blue staining of glycosaminoglycans of cat nucleus pulposus and TEM X-ray probe microanalysis. Histochem J 11, 137–143 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01002991

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01002991

Keywords

Search

Navigation