The visualization of the mineral and protein distribution in the same histological sections of rat calcified growth plate cartilage

Objective: To determine whether the combination of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and immunostaining would visualize the mineral and protein distribution in the same histological sections.

Methods: Paraffin sections of fixed rat hindlimbs were processed for SEM-EDX and subsequently for immunofluorescence staining.

Results: The localization of calcium, phosphorus, and carbon with type II collagen could be visualized in the same region of calcified growth plate cartilage on the same section.

Conclusions: The combination of SEM-EDX and immunostaining is effective for visualizing mineral and protein distribution in the same histological sections.