Forensic Science International
Volume 115, Issue 3 , Pages 171-181, 15 January 2001

Morphometric assessment of testicular changes in drug-related fatalities

  • J Reuhl

      Affiliations

    • Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Mainz, Am Pulverturm 3, D-55131 Mainz, Germany
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author.
    • ,
  • M Bachl

      Affiliations

    • Department of Surgery, St. Vinzenz Hospital, Auf dem Schafsberg, D-65549 Limburg, Germany
    • ,
  • M Schneider

      Affiliations

    • Senckenberg Center of Pathology, University of Frankfurt/Main, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, D-60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
    • ,
  • F.-U Lutz

      Affiliations

    • Center of Forensic Medicine, University of Frankfurt/Main, Kennedyallee 104, D-60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
    • ,
  • H Bratzke

      Affiliations

    • Center of Forensic Medicine, University of Frankfurt/Main, Kennedyallee 104, D-60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany

Received 10 November 1998; received in revised form 22 May 2000; accepted 9 June 2000.

Abstract 

Testicular sections of 50 deceased drug addicts were examined by light microscopy using morphometric methods and determining the extent of spermatogenesis by application of the Johnsen score count. Twenty cases of violent death served as reference sample. The study was aimed at obtaining data about the degree of germinal gland damage following the duration of the individual drug career, which was correlated to the histologic findings. Progressively reduced maturation of germinal cells, decrease of tubular diameter and height of sperm-producing epithelium were found the longer the individual case history has been. The results clearly indicated a substantial impairment of male fertility in the course of a drug career, but etiology seems to be multifactorial, since most of the deceased were polytoxicomanic and more than 40% were under the influence of alcohol at the time of death. Testicular damage is obviously a sequel of long-lasting abuse and a very complex process, presumably progressing with the duration of the adverse habit.

Keywords:  Testes, Illicit drugs, Autopsy, Morphology

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PII: S0379-0738(00)00327-3

Forensic Science International
Volume 115, Issue 3 , Pages 171-181, 15 January 2001

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