Histological thin-sections: a method for the microscopic study of teeth in Spanish red deer (Cervus elaphus hispanicus).

A method to obtain thin histological sections (4-5 microm thick) from teeth, using a conventional microtome, is described for incisors, molars and canines from Spanish red deer (Cervus elaphus hispanicus). Decalcifying solutions of formic acid and nitric acid at different concentrations were ineffective. This was not the case for a solution of 14% hypochloric acid and polyvinylpyrrolidone (TBD-1(R) of Shandon). However, the time needed to complete decalcification was longer than the time estimated by other authors. Incisors required between 4 and 6 days, molars between 7 and 15 days, and canines between 8 and 12 days. The preparation of histological thin-sections from teeth with a conventional microtome, required some training or prior specialization, because most of defective or lost material occurred during the preliminary stage of the study. However this technique is inexpensive enough to be implemented in any histological laboratory. The preparations obtained are suitable for growth mark observation in dentine and in cementum for dating studies. Nevertheless, they are not suitable for enamel change studies, because the enamel is completely destroyed during the decalcifying process.