Evaluation of Decalcification Techniques for Rat Femurs Using HE and Immunohistochemical Staining

Table 2

Decalcifying solutions scores as the measurement of ease of sectioning and morphological preservation.

Decalcifying solutions	Ease of sectioning	HE morphological evaluation				Total score
		TBS	CTS	CT	Total
10% EDTA	3	3	3	3	9	12
3% nitric acid	4	4	3	4	12	16
5% nitric acid	3	3	4	3	10	13
8% HFA	4	2	4	3	7	12

Note: TBS: trabecular bone staining, CTS: cartilage tissue staining, CT: contrast ratio, HFA: hydrochloric acid/formic acid.