Journal of Veterinary Science

  • 제25권3호
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  • Pages.24.1-24.9
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  • 2024
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  • 1229-845X(pISSN)
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  • 1976-555X(eISSN)
대한수의학회 (The Korean Society of Veterinary Science)
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Effect of humidity on postmortem changes in rats

  • Seroc Oh (College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University) ;
  • Byeongwoo Ahn (College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University) ;
  • Beom Jun Lee (College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University) ;
  • Sang-Yoon Nam (College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University)
  • 투고 : 2024.01.07
  • 심사 : 2024.02.06
  • 발행 : 2024.05.31
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초록

Importance: In veterinary forensic science, accurately determining the postmortem interval (PMI) is crucial for identifying the causes of animal deaths. Autolysis, a significant postmortem process, influences PMI estimation, but its relationship with humidity is not well understood. Objective: This study aimed to improve the accuracy of PMI estimates in veterinary forensic cases by looking into how different humidity levels affect autolysis in different organs of rats. Methods: The study involved 38 male rats, examining histopathological changes in their heart, liver, and pancreas. These organs were subjected to controlled humidity levels (20%, 55%, and 80%) at a constant 22℃. Tissue samples were collected at several intervals (0 h, 12 h, 24 h, 3 days, and 8 days) for comprehensive analysis. Results: Distinct autolytic characteristics in animal organs emerged under varying humidity conditions. The low-humidity environment rapidly activated autolysis more than the high-humidity environment. In addition, it was found that lower humidity caused nuclear pyknosis, cytoplasmic disintegration, and myofiber interruption. The liver, in particular, showed portal triad aggregation and hepatocyte individuation. The pancreas experienced cell fragmentation and an enlarged intracellular space. High humidity also caused the loss of striations in cardiac tissues, and the liver showed vacuolation. Under these conditions, the pancreas changed eosinophilic secretory granules. Conclusions and Relevance: The study successfully established a clear connection between the autolytic process in PMIs and relative humidity. These findings are significant for developing a more accurate and predictable method for PMI estimation in the field of veterinary forensic science.

키워드

과제정보

I would like to express my gratitude to Stattee for their assistance with the statistical analysis during the research process. Additionally, I would like to thank Soyeon Kim for their support throughout this study.

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