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Autolysis:
Autolysis is the process of self degradation by cells and tissues within the body of a dead animal. It results from ischaemic hypoxia of cells following the cessation of blood flow in at the time of death. The hypoxia results in an inability of the mitochondria to supply enough ATP to continue cellular processes. The resultant inability for the cell to continue to sequester calcium in cell organelles and to maintain the sodium/potassium pump leads to widespread disruption of cellular systems.
Increases in sodium ion levels within the cytoplasm leads to osmotic pressures which cause water to flow into the cell and produce cellular swelling.
Increases in cytoplasmic calcium concentrations activate both phospholipases which rupture lysosomes and endonucleases which degrade DNA.
Damaged lysosomes release proteolytic enzymes which digest the structural proteins of the cell. The amount of proteolytic enzyme stored in a cell relates closely to the rate of autolysis within a tissue.
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Veterinary Pathology - Autolysis