never heard of Jenkins decal solution, is it related to Linda Jenkins who
does a
lot of bone work?
patsy
rueggp@earthlink.net

Dear Patsy: Here you are

Hydrochloric acid                                40 ml.
Glacial Acetic Acid                             40 ml.
Chloroform                                         100 ml.
Distilled water                                    100 ml.
Absolute ethylic alcohol                    720 ml.

Success will depend on the following factors:

1. A proper fixation= Trim the calcified tissues into 3-4 mm. thick slices
leaving the cassettes in 15 % saline or buffered formalin overnight at 37 ºC
or at room temp. during the warm season. Never refrigerate tissues diring
fixation! Ensure a tissue / formalin solution volume ratio= 1/20.

2. Mix the above listed ingredients pouring the Acetic and Hydrochloric
acids in last place: Remember Acids must be poured into water, never the
opposite!! Calculate
the precise volume needed.

3. Rinse the fixed tissues in running water, then soak the cassettes in
Jenkins sol. ensuring a tissue/Jenkins volume ratio=1/20

4. The time needed for an acceptable decalcification will depend on the
amount of calcium present in the tissues, i.e. If you're dealing with a
mixed tumor showing large areas of calcified tissue, 2 or 3 daily changes of
Jenkins solution may be necessary (=i.e. 1 per day x 3 days); if the
specimens consist of a tuberculous
granuloma with spread tiny spots of calcification, 24 to 36 hours in the
original
solution may be enough.

5. Once decalcified, the samples should be directly passed to 96 º ethylic
alcohol without washing, then following the routine authomatic procedure.

6. For those used to follow up strict scientific procedures (In our case we
are based on our own experience) check the calcif. end-point chemically as
in the Formic acid-Na Cirate technique.

Please try Jenkins and write to Histonet telling your own experience!
Remember this is a decalcifying procedure for partially calcified tissues,
so it will not work in the case of bones.

Agustín Venzano wrote:

> Hi Histonetters: Has anyone out there ever tested Jenkins decalcifying
> solution? We've ourselves switched from Formic acid-Na Citrate to Jenkins
> due to several reasons:
>
> 1. We don't currently process bone tissues in our lab.
> 2. We only use decalcifyers when processing mixed tumors or tuberculous
> focuses.
> 3. That's why we don't need applying strong decalcifying solutions.
> 4. Formic acid-Na Cit. sol. did O.K., but we got tired of weighing Na
> citrate and overnight running water!
> 5. Jenkins turned out to be an optimal procedure solely requiring to mix
> some liquid reagents.
>
> Can you share your own experience with Jenkins decalcifying solution? Do
you
> know an equally practical method?
>
> Thank you
>