Correlation between Alcian Blue staining of glycosaminoglycans of cat nucleus pulposus and TEM X-ray probe microanalysis

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Abstract
The nucleus pulposus of cat intervertebral disc was examined after staining glycosaminoglycans with Alcian Blue and the results correlated with TEM X-ray probe microanalysis. In unstained sections a difference in copper levels between tissues and resin was detected. In tissue stained with Alcian blue before embedding, the copper levels were slightly increased and the morphological appearance of the intercellular material was amorphous. In sections restained after cutting, the relative levels of copper in the resin were considerably increased and tissue levels were significantly higher than in the resin. Moreover, the morphology of the intercellular material was altered from a rather amorphous material to a network. Sulphur levels behaved in similar manner to copper levels but any correlation between the elements was due to factors unrelated to glycosaminoglycan staining and probably resulted from contaminating sulphur.