Vital staining of calcifying tissue in animals with Tetracycline, Calcein green and Xylenol orange

Abstract

Vital staining of calcifying tissue has been reported in previous studies‘ but such investigations have involved either a constant labelling with one dye. or double or triple labelling; with one or more dyes. 1n the present study five adult dogs had a constant oral administration of Tetracyclines and two infusions of Caleein green and Xylenol orange, each administered twice after 3 and 4 weeks and 11 and 12 weeks, respectively. This method caused all newly formed bone to be marked with Tetracycline. Qualitative information can be obtained by observing the location of the Caleein green bands and the Xy1enol orange bands. The bone formation rate can be determined by measuring the distance between labelling bands of Caleein green and Xylenol orange. We found this method of combined labelling to be of value in the investigation of bone remodelling, particularly in cases ofsurgieal trauma.