Decalcification by ascorbic acid for immuno- and affinohistochemical techniques on the inner ear

An ascorbic acid decalcifying solution was applied to immuno- and affinohis tochemical studies on the inner ear. Rat inner ears fixed in 4% paraformald ehyde in PBS or in 2% acetic acid in ethanol solutions were adequately deca lcified in an ascorbic acid solution, at a temperature of 4 degrees C. The decalcifying solution was prepared with 1% ascorbic acid and 0.84% sodium c hloride in distilled water (pH 2.5-2.6). The decalcification time was in a direct relationship to the specimen calcification. In this study, two neuro active substances (gamma-aminobutyric acid and calcitonin gene-related pept ide), neurofilaments, and the galectine endogenous lectin were successfully detected immunohistochemically.