Post-Mortem Alterations in Spleen Tissue of Submerged Wistar Rats: A Histological Examination

Abstract

Background: The post-mortem diagnosis of hypothermia presents a significant challenge in forensic practice. This study aims to identify histopathological changes that occur in adult Wistar rats under conditions of submersion. The spleen, as the largest secondary immune organ, plays a vital role in initiating immune responses against blood-borne antigens and filtering the blood of foreign material and damaged red blood cells. These functions are attributed to two distinct compartments within the spleen: the white pulp and the red pulp, characterized by differences in architecture, vascular organization, and cellular composition. Aim: Our study focuses on assessing histological changes observed in the spleen tissues of Wistar rats from Group 2, which were subjected to submersion following standard clinical euthanasia procedures. Methods: We utilized albino Wistar rats weighing between 180-210g for this investigation. The rats were categorized into two groups: Group 1, consisting of 4 Wistar rats, and Group 2, which included 2 Wistar rats. In Group 1, the rats were humanely euthanized by submersion in water for a duration of 72 hours. Post-mortem analyses were conducted, with particular attention given to spleen tissue. Routine hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining was employed alongside immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining. Results: Histological analysis revealed significant disruptions, collagen degeneration, edema, and vasoconstriction observed at varying levels in the spleen tissues. Conclusion: Previous studies primarily focused on the splenic layers, but our investigation highlights disruptions, degeneration, and vasoconstriction as noteworthy histopathological changes in this context.