A Comparative Light Microscopic Evaluation of Oxytalan Fiber Staining with a Variety of Dye Substances

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Abstract
Staining of oxytalan fibers in marsupial [Macropus eutgenii, jasiorhinus latifrons, Trichosaurus vulpecula, Antechinus flavipes Sminthopsis crassicaudata] eutherian [Notomys alexis, mouse, rhesus monkey, sheep and cat] and human periodontal ligraments was surveyed with 65 different dyes. Using the criteria of response to preoxidation, distribution and morphologic appearance, 27 dye preparations in addition to the Gomori aldehyde-fuchsin, Taenzer-Unna orcein and Weigert resorcin-fuchsin techniques displayed oxytalan fibers. With 2 exceptions all dyes were cationic and reacted with varying degrees of excellence with different animals. Most dyes produced their best staining results as concentrated solutions in 3% acetic acid, suggesting involvement of oxidatively engendered polyanions predominantly associated with an acid mucopolysaccharide component of the oxytalan fiber. The significance of carboxyl and S-containing groups should not be overlooked in further studies aiming to elucidate oxytalan fiber chemistry and microstructure. The view that oxytalan fibers belong to the family of elastic tissues and represent a biologically important system within the periodontal ligament is supported.