[DNA synthesis in cells of human cadavers]

Punch biopsies of human cadavers were incubated in vitro with radioactively labeled thymidine (3H-TdR, 14C-TdR) to get information on postmortal cytokinetics. The investigation established that 3H-TdR really was incorporated in DNA by cells of human cadavers. Basal cells of epidermis as well bone marrow cells of cadavers stored at 20 degrees C incorporated 3H-TdR during a storage time of at least 32 hours. Storing the cadavers at 4 degrees C DNA synthesis in epidermic cells was demonstrated for more than 77 hours. While spermatogonia incorporated 3H-TdR during the early postmortal period of 8 hours neither in bowel nor in splenic cells a postmortal DNA synthesis was seen. Systemic investigations were done using punch biopsies taken from the extensor side of the thigh of 45 human cadavers stored at 4 degrees C. The labeling index (mean: 2.53 +/- 0.79%) over a postmortal period of more than 70 hours and the synthesis time determined by the double labeling procedure over a period of at least 30 hours remained essentially unchanged and were comparable with live humans. The generation time decreased with increasing storage time--but not statistically relevant differences, however, were established at the 1% level. As well no statistically relevant differences were established by correlating the kinetic data according to sex, age and site.