An automatic microspectrophotometric scanning method for the measurement of bone formation rates in vivo.

A method for quantitative studies of the formation rate of bone has been developed. After vital staining with calcein, the fluorescence of a bone section was measured with a microphotometer controlled by a mini computer. After staining the bone structure with alizarin red S in a second step, the section was measured in transmitted light. The two datas of the formation rate of bone has been developed. After vital staining with calcein, the fluorescence of a bone section was measured with a microphotometer controlled by a mini computer. After staining the bone structure with alizarin red S in a second step, the section was measured in transmitted light. The two data sets were combined and the shortest distances between the bone surface and the fluorescence lines were computed. With this information the distance distribution and the bone area between the label and the surface could be calculated in two different ways: with the single labeling and the continuous labeling techniques. The advantages and disadvantages of the two methods are discussed and compared with those of other techniques.