A TECHNIQUE FOR THE DEMONSTRATION OF ACETYLCHOLINESTERASE ACTIVITY IN THE INNER EAR AFTER DECALCIFICATION WITH EDTA

Abstract

The petrous bones of adult cats and guinea pigs were decalcified with buffered cold Na-ethylenediaminetetraacetate and then cut in a cryostat at -18[degree]C. The frozen sections were used for the histochemical demonstration of acetycholinesterase or butyrl-cholinesterase activity with the thiocholine method as modified by Gomori. Enzyme activity was localized in the ganglion cells, nerves and nerve endings after 40 days of decalcification.