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Study of bone mineralization at the microscopic level using an electron probe microanalyser

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Abstract

Electron probe microanalysis is a recent technique for the study of bone and the conditions for the correct interpretation of the results are described. The Ca/P molar ratio was measured in normal and in three pathological bones. These measurements were carried out in different regions of cortical bone. The results are in agreement with the results obtained by microradiography. Microprobe analysis, however, allows the measurement of elements at the microscopic level.

Electron probe microanalysis was used to study the distribution of sodium and magnesium in the interhaversian and haversian tissues of adult cortical bone. Observations show the heterogeneity of distribution of these elements. Concentrations are higher in young bone (osteons), in agreement with the hypothesis of ion absorption on the surface of the apatite crystal.

Résumé

L'analyse par microsonde électronique, technique récente, a été peu utilisée pour l'étude du tissu osseux. Le rapport molaire Ca/P a été mesuré pour l'os normal et certains os pathologiques. Les résultats sont en accord avec ceux obtenus par les autres méthodes, en particulier la microradiographie. La microsonde électronique permet le dosage du sodium et du magnésium, constituants secondaires de l'os, à l'échelle microscopique. Nos observations mettent en évidence l'hétérogénéité de la distribution de ces éléments: concentration élevée dans l'os jeune (ostéone), moindre dans l'os interhaversien. Ces résultats sont en accord avec l'hypothèse de Neuman de l'absorption des ions sodium et magnésium à la surface du crystal d'apatite.

Zusammenfassung

Die Mikroanalyse mittels Elektronensonde ist eine neue Technik für die Untersuchung von Knochen; die Bedingungen für eine richtige Interpretation der Resultate werden beschrieben. Das molare Ca/P-Verhältnis wurde in normalen und in drei pathologischen Knochen gemessen. Diese Messungen wurden in verschiedenen Regionen des corticalen Knochens durch-geführt.

Die Resultate stimmen mit den durch Mikroradiographie erhaltenen überein.

Mikroanalysen mittels der Elektronensonde ermöglichten es, die Verteilung von Na und Mg in den zwischenhaversschen und haversschen Geweben von corticalem Knochen Erwachsener zu untersuchen. Unsere Beobachtungen zeigen die heterogene Verteilung dieser Elemente. In Übereinstimmung mit der Hypothese der Ionen-Absorption an der Oberfläche des Apatitkristalles sind die Konzentrationen in jungen Knochen (Oesteonen) höher.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Solid State Chemistry, Free University of Brussels, Belgium

    R. Wollast

  2. Interdisciplinary Bone Biomechanics Unit, Free University of Brussels, Belgium

    F. Burny

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  1. R. Wollast
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  2. F. Burny
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Wollast, R., Burny, F. Study of bone mineralization at the microscopic level using an electron probe microanalyser. Calc. Tis Res. 8, 73–82 (1971). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02010123

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