Quantitative X-ray microanalysis of diffusible ions in the skeletal muscle bulk specimen

X-ray microanalysis in the scanning electron microscope (SEM) is used to obtain information about the distribution and mobility of electrolyte ions in the skeletal muscle tissue. In order to localize the diffusible ions in their physiological state, so far as possible, any chemical fixative is avoided. A special 'cooling chain' preparation method is applied which enables studies on cryofractured bulk specimens at low temperatures. Quantitation of the obtained X-ray spectra is done by the use of glycerol-treated tissue specimens which are incubated with electrolyte solutions of defined ion concentration.