title: X-ray microanalytical determination of P, S and K concentrations in the gelatinous membrane of the utricle.
abstract: Electron probe X-ray microanalysis was used to determine the concentrations of P, S and K (Cp, CS, CK) in the gelatinous membrane of the mouse utricle. The otolithic membranes were plunge-frozen in liquid N2, freeze-dried and carbon-coated. Quantitative analysis was carried out with an energy dispersive detector using the peak-to-background ratio method and different concentrations of KH2PO4 and K2SO4 salts dissolved in dextran solutions to calibrate the microprobe. P, S and K were measured and their concentrations plotted as bar graphs to study the frequency distributions. Regression analysis revealed a dependence between the concentrations of P and K (CK = 1454.10 - 2.83 CP, r = -0.68745, p < 0.05), and P and S (CS = 43.18 + 0.23 CP, r = 0.66949, p < 0.05); however, no correlation was found between CK and CP (r = -0.25424). The findings obtained in the present study show an inverse relationship between P and K ions, and direct relationship between P and S in the gelatinous membrane of the utricle.
authors: Department of Histology and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Granada, Spain.
authors: P V
authors: PV
authors: Crespo
authors: J A
authors: JA
authors: Lopez-Escamez
authors: F J
authors: FJ
authors: Cañizares
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Campos
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D007758:Ear, Inner / Q000737:chemistry; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D010037:Otolithic Membrane / Q000737:chemistry*; D010758:Phosphorus / Q000032:analysis; D011188:Potassium / Q000032:analysis; D011859:Radiography; D012444:Saccule and Utricle / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014722:Vestibule, Labyrinth / Q000737:chemistry; D014965:X-Rays
chemical_list: D010758:Phosphorus; D011188:Potassium