Organic Chelating Agents for Decalcification of Bones and Teeth

Abstract

Lower jaws of adult guinea pigs were fixed in 10% neutral formalin 24 hours following intra-arterial and intra-man-dibular injection of the same fluid. They were then decalcified 3 weeks by 3 changes of Versene or Sequestrene (ethylene diamine tetracetic acid, disodium salt). Examination of the sections revealed complete decalcification, excellent fixation and selective staining of bone, cartilage, tooth and other tissues. Comparison with acid-decalcified preparations leads us to conclude that chelate-decalcification is at least as good if not superior to acid-decalcification in the preparation of such hard tissues.