Detection of Phosphatase Activity in Polarized Light Following Glycerophosphate Incubation.*

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Abstract
A method of detection of phosphatase activity was described whereby some artifacts of diffusion, adsorption and non-specific sulfide blackening were dealt with by examination of the original Ca or Pb phosphate precipitates in polarized light. Following routine substrate incubation, the sections were dehydrated and mounted in 5% celloidin. When dry, they were examined with regular polarizing equipment or between 2 pieces of Polaroid material of type JG3OFAP. Phosphatase activity in bones and teeth was localized to areas which were not necessarily those of mineral deposition. Phosphatase activity was found to originate in the cytoplasm of cells, and to increase with differentiation of the cells.
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