Improved preservation of cartilage extracellular matrix by freeze dried embedding.
A freeze dried embedding procedure is described and used to study the extracellular cartilage matrix of the epiphyseal growth plate. This method provides improved fine structural preservation of the extracellular matrix over conventional fixation and appears comparable to that attained by freeze substitution. The trabecular networks of expanded proteoglycan filaments are illustrated in stereo-images.
D000818:Animals; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D005269:Femur; D005612:Freeze Drying; D006132:Growth Plate / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008854:Microscopy, Electron / Q000379:methods; D014021:Tissue Preservation / Q000379:methods