Histochemical localization of calcium in the enamel organ of rat incisors in early-stage amelogenesis

The localization of calcium in the enamel organ of rapidly-frozen, freeze-substituted rat incisors in early-stage amelogenesis was examined by a histochemical calcium-staining method. In secretory ameloblasts, glyoxal bis(2-hydroxyanil) (GBHA) staining revealed intense red reactions in mitochondria and tubulovesicular structures located throughout the cytoplasm, while no reaction was seen in the nucleus and cytosol, nor along the plasma membranes of the respective cells. No significant GBHA reaction was observed in the intercellular compartment and other cells of the enamel organ. Some granular reactions were localized in the cells of the adjacent connective tissue. Control tests confirmed the specificity of GBHA reactions for calcium. Thus, the present observations provide histochemical evidence indicating an exclusive localization of calcium in mitochondria and tubulovesicular structures of the secretory ameloblast, and support their contributions to the translocation of calcium from the proximal to the distal pole of the cytoplasm.