ABSTRACT
Objective To study the relationship between the DNA content of chondrocytes in the costal cartilage and postmortem interval in putrefactive rat cadavers.Methods Nuclear DNA wag visualized by modified Feulgen's staining method.DNA content of ehondrocytes in the costal cartilage was semi-quantita tively determined by a computerized image analysis system in rats within 35d postmortem.Results Staining intensity of the nuclei was gradually reduced within from 1d to 28d postmortem.The nuclej could not be detected at 35d.The DNA content of chondrocytes decreased time-dependently within 28 days after death as determined semi-quantitatively,which revealed a linear relationship between DNA content and postmortem interval.Conclusion DNA content of chondrocytes in the costal cartilage reduces time-dependently with the extension of postmortem interval.