Demonstration of mitochondrial mineral deposits in osteoblasts after anhydrous fixation and processing

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Abstract
The fine structure of early developing bone was examined using a modification of a new non‐aqueous processing method in which anhydrous glutaraldehyde dissolved in dimethyl‐sulphoxide (GLUT‐DMSO) is used as a fixative. Preliminary results show that the basic morphological features of the cellular and extracellular compartments of developing bone were preserved. The cytoplasm of osteoblasts revealed numerous well‐preserved mitochrondria and other membranous organelles. Inside the mitochrondria there were large and conspicuous electron‐opaque granules of mineral which were more prominent and numerous than in specimens prepared by conventional aqueous procedures. The collagenous matrix also revealed electron‐opaque deposits of mineral. These results support the evidence for the existence of mitochondrial calcium phosphate in osteoblasts in the form of granules.