Lipid and protein histochemistry of enamel--effects of fluoride.

Staining reactions for a number of histochemical procedures for lipophilic staining and protein were studied in the enamel matrix along the length of rat incisors. Sudan Black gave a positive stain across the whole thickness of very early enamel (up to 30 micrometer) but this staining only continued as a narrow band close to the ameloblasts as the enamel matured. A variety of tests for protein produced almost identical staining patterns in enamel matrix up to 100 micrometer thick. Since the pattern of "lipid" staining persisted, after using a number of procedures which could normally be expected to remove lipid, it is suggested that Sudan Black positive staining may be due to lipophilic protein rather than lipid itself. Fluoride did not significantly alter the staining reactions for "lipid" and protein but did produce matrix which was much more effectively stained by cross-linking agents FFDNB and FF sulphone.