title: Pulp tissue in sex determination: A fluorescent microscopic study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine and compare the reliability of pulp tissue in determination of sex and to analyze whether caries have any effect on fluorescent body test.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study was carried on 50 maxillary and mandibular teeth (25 male teeth and 25 female teeth), which were indicated for extraction. The teeth are categorized into 5 groups, 10 each (5 from males and 5 from females) on the basis of caries progression. The pulp cells are stained with quinacrine hydrochloride and observed with fluorescent microscope for fluorescent body. Gender is determined by identification of Y chromosome fluorescence in dental pulp.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fluorescent bodies were found to be more in sound teeth in males as the caries increase the mean percentage of fluorescent bodies observed decreases in males. We also observed the fluorescent spots in females, and the value of the spot increases in female as the caries progresses, thereby giving false positive results in females.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Sex determination by fluorescent staining of the Y chromosome is a reliable technique in teeth with healthy pulps or caries with enamel or up to half way of dentin. Teeth with caries involving pulp cannot be used for sex determination.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, Faridkot, Punjab, Swami Devi Dyal Hospital and Dental College, Panchkula, Haryana, India.
authors.forename: Amit
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nayar
authors.affiliation: Dasmesh Institute of Research and Dental Sciences, Faridkot, Punjab, Swami Devi Dyal Hospital and Dental College, Panchkula, Haryana, India.
authors.forename: Harkanwal Preet
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, Faridkot, Punjab, Swami Devi Dyal Hospital and Dental College, Panchkula, Haryana, India.
authors.forename: Swati
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Leekha
keywords: Fluorescent microscope; forensic odontology; pulp tissue; quinacrine hydrochloride