The effects of two different decalcification procedures on size and structure of embryonic epithelial tissue in objects prepared for light microscopy

Electrolytic decalcification is a very fast and effective method for removing calcium compounds from bones with minimum damage to tissues. Changes of dimension of tissues in histological sections prepared from specimens decalcified by immersion in a formic acid solution and sections prepared from specimens treated in an electrolytic decalcifier were studied. Heads of mouse foetuses were cut in half, decalcified by one of the above-mentioned methods and embedded in histowax. Dimensional changes of skin, tongue and nasal epithelia in histological sections were evaluated by t-test. Significant shrinking and other unwanted effects of decalcification, such as acidophilia of nuclei, were found in objects decalcified by both methods. No significant differences in the effects of the two methods on tissue dimensions were demonstrated. It is concluded that both decalcification methods are equivalent from the qualitative point of view.