Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The von Kossa reaction for calcium deposits: silver lactate staining increases sensitivity and reduces background

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

Summary

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.

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

  • Danscher, G. (1983) A silver method for counterstaining plastic embedded tissue. Stain Technol. 58, 365–72.

    Google Scholar 

  • Danscher, G. (1984) Autometallography. Histochemistry 81, 331–5.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eriksen, E. F., Colvard, D. S., Berg, N. J., Graham, M. L., Mann, K. G., Spelsberg, T. C. & Riggs, B. L. (1988) Evidence of estrogen receptors in normal human osteoblast-like cells. Science 241, 84–6.

    Google Scholar 

  • James, T. H. (1939) The reduction of silver ions by hydroquinone. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 61, 648–52.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kassem, M., Risteli, L., Mosekilde, L., Melsen, F. & Eriksen, E. F. (1991) Formation of osteoblast-like cells from human mononuclear bone marrow cultures. Acta Pathologica et Microbiologica Scandinavica (APMIS) 99, 269–74.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kassem, M., Rungby, J., Mosekilde, L. & Eriksen, E. F. (1992) Ultrastructure of human osteoblasts and associated matrix in culture. Acta Pathologica et Microbiologica Scandinavica (APMIS) 100, 490–7.

    Google Scholar 

  • Liesegang, R. E. (1911) Die Kolloidchemie der histologischen Silber-Färbungen. Kolloid Beihefte 3, 1–46.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pearse, A. G. E. (1972) Histochemistry: Theoretical and Applied, 3rd edn. p. 1405. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pizzolato, P. & Mccrory, P. (1964) Light influence on von Kossa's silver calcium reaction in the myocardium. J. Histochem. Cytochem. 10, 102–10.

    Google Scholar 

  • Puchtler, H. & Meloan, S. N. (1978) Demonstration of phosphates in calcium deposits: a modification of von Kossa's reaction. Histochemistry 56, 177–85.

    Google Scholar 

  • Robey, P. G. & Termine, J. D. (1987) Human bone cells in vitro. Calif. Tiss. Int. 37, 453–8.

    Google Scholar 

  • VonKossa, J. (1901) Über die im Organismus künstlich erzeugbaren Verkalkungen. Beitr. path. Anat. 29, 163–202.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zieger, K. (1938) Physikochemische Grundlagen der histologischen Metodik. Eill. Forschungsber. 48, 55–75.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Aarhus Bone and Mineral Research Group, University Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Aarhus Amtssygehus, Tage-Hansensgade, DK-8000C, Aarhus, Denmark

    Jørgen Rungby, Moustapha Kassem & Erik Fink Eriksen

  2. Department of Neurobiology, The Steno Institute, University of Aarhus, Aarhus, Denmark

    Gorm Danscher

Authors
  1. Jørgen Rungby
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Moustapha Kassem
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Erik Fink Eriksen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Gorm Danscher
    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

Rungby, J., Kassem, M., Eriksen, E.F. et al. The von Kossa reaction for calcium deposits: silver lactate staining increases sensitivity and reduces background. Histochem J 25, 446–451 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00157809

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00157809

Keywords

Search

Navigation