Dear Renee,

I have tried the Tetrachrome but another alternative is a stain sold by
Surgipath, called the Sanderson's Rapid Bone Stain.  The stain is completed
in approximately 5 minutes or less.  It was developed to stain ground
sections of mineralized bone.  It not only differentiates osteoid from
mineralized bone but also viable bone from dead bone.  There are 2
counterstains that can be used; acidified acid fuchsin or van Gieson's.
The osteiod is very obvious and the stain is extremely easy to do.

Hope this helps,
Cathy

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GLP Compliant Laboratory

Cathy A. Mayton
Project Director
Wasatch Histo Consultants, Inc.
www.wasatchhisto.com