Modified Giemsa Stain for Polymethyl Methacrylate Embedded Undecalcified Bone and Bone Marrow Specimens

Abstract

A modified Giemsa azure-eosin method for staining polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) plastic embedded bone sections is described. The method is similar to those used to stain glycol methacrylate sections but differs in timing and addition of air drying steps. The stain yields effective differentiation of marrow cells, growth plate, calcified cartilage, osteoid, bone matrix and bone cells in undecalcified sections of bone. The stain does not interfere with the resolution of fluorochrome labeled specimens. Hence, the same slide can beused to evaluate static and dynamic parameters of bone metabolism. (The J Histotechnol 14:85, 1991)

Keywords:

• bone marrow
• Giemsa
• PMMA plastic sections
• undecalcified bone