Summary
The classical von Kossa method has been modified: the high silver nitrate concentration in the original was replaced by 0.05% silver lactate with hydroquinone remaining the reducing agent of choice. The present modification stained calcification nodules with a sensitivity comparable to the original von Kossa reaction, but resulted in a reduced background staining in cultured osteoblasts. The method works well also with plastic- or paraffin-embedded tissue sections.
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Rungby, J., Kassem, M., Eriksen, E.F. et al. The von Kossa reaction for calcium deposits: silver lactate staining increases sensitivity and reduces background. Histochem J 25, 446–451 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00157809
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00157809