title: The von Kossa reaction for calcium deposits: silver lactate staining increases sensitivity and reduces background.
abstract: The classical von Kossa method has been modified: the high silver nitrate concentration in the original was replaced by 0.05% silver lactate with hydroquinone remaining the reducing agent of choice. The present modification stained calcification nodules with a sensitivity comparable to the original von Kossa reaction, but resulted in a reduced background staining in cultured osteoblasts. The method works well also with plastic- or paraffin-embedded tissue sections.
authors.affiliation: University Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Aarhus Amtssygehus, Denmark.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rungby
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kassem
authors.forename: E F
authors.initials: EF
authors.lastname: Eriksen
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Danscher
mesh_terms: D002113:Calcification, Physiologic; D002118:Calcium / Q000032:analysis*; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology; D005994:Glycerophosphates / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D006873:Hydroquinones / Q000737:chemistry; D007773:Lactates / Q000737:chemistry; D019344:Lactic Acid; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D010006:Osteoblasts / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000166:cytology; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D016612:Paraffin Embedding; D012835:Silver Nitrate / Q000737:chemistry; D016622:Silver Staining
chemical_list: D005994:Glycerophosphates; D006873:Hydroquinones; D007773:Lactates; D019344:Lactic Acid; D012835:Silver Nitrate; D002118:Calcium; C031463:beta-glycerophosphoric acid; C031927:hydroquinone