Sex determination efficacy of Papanicolaou and acriflavine Schiff stains in buccal smears

BACKGROUND: Barr body is formed from random inactivation and condensation of one of the two female chromosomes in virtually all the somatic cells of female mammals. Buccal smears have been reported to be potential sources of Barr bodies. AIM: This study was done to assess the efficacy of acriflavine (AF) Schiff and Papanicolaou (PAP) stains in sex determination by identifying Barr bodies in buccal smears of both sexes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two samples of buccal smears, collected from thirty males and thirty females in the age group of 16–60 years were used to demonstrate Barr bodies using AF Schiff and PAP stains, respectively. Hundred cells were examined for Barr body positive nucleus, and its mean percentage was calculated and statistically analyzed. RESULTS: In females, AF Schiff stained positive cells ranged from 16% to 53% and PAP stained positive cells ranged from 9% to 38%. In males, 0–9% AF positive Barr bodies and 0–5% PAP stained Barr bodies were identified. CONCLUSION: Sex determination using buccal smear is a simple and reliable method. AF Schiff stain is better both qualitatively and quantitatively when compared to PAP stain, thus aids in more accurate sex determination.