The distribution of nuclei in imprints of feline osteoclasts

Fresh imprints of metaphyseal bone from the femurs of four kittens aged 18 weeks were stained by histochemical methods for succinate, malate, beta-hydroxy butyrate, and glutamate dehydrogenases. In these preparations the unstained nuclei contrasted sharply with the background stained cytoplasm, making possible accurate nucleus counts in intact osteoclasts. The nuclei in 1683 osteoclasts were counted and the data revealed an asymmetric distribution of cells having different numbers of nuclei. The method may be of value in determining the precise significance of osteoclast size in relation to function.