The qualitative assessment of glycosaminoglycans in the canine intervertebral disc using a critical electrolyte concentration staining technique.

Through the use of a critical electrolyte concentration staining technique, the glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) in the nucleus pulposus region of the canine intervertebral disc were arbitrarily identified as ‘hyaluronic acid’, chondroitin sulphate and keratan sulphate. Approximate estimates of GAG concentration could be qualitatively deduced by determining the appropriate GAG ‘alcianophilic index’. This index was considered to be an effective qualitative adjunct to chemical quantitation of GAGs in the intervertebral disc.