[Methods of quick-freezing and cryosubstitution of biological tissues in analytical ion microscopy]

The localization and relative concentration of diffusible ions (Li+, K+) or bound but easily displaceable ions (Ca2+) have been studied in myocardium prepared by rapid-freeze fixation and compared with results from chemically prepared samples. Contrary to chemical fixation which gives diffused potassium imaging, cryofixation enables elemental precise mapping in cellular compartment. Bound displazable external calcium, extracted by chemical fixation, is visualized after rapid-freeze fixation. Its localization is distinguished by a bright cellular outline, which corresponds to the glycocalix. Intracellular calcium is less emissive and has the same distribution and concentration whatever the sample preparation. Very movable and present at low concentration in tissues, lithium is localized after rapid-freeze fixation. Those qualitative and quantitative results show the adequation of rapid freeze fixation and freeze substitution to the study of diffusible ions by means of analytical ion microscopy.