Abstract: Objective To observe the expression and phosphorylation level of connexin 43(Cx43)in myocardium of mice with stress,and to explore their forensic significance in the identification of stress-related sudden cardiac death.Methods The stress model and sudden cardiac death model in mice were established using methods described in references.Pathological changes in myocardium were observed with conventional hematoxylin and eosin(HE)stain.The expression distribution(area and strength)of Cx43 in mouse myocardium of each model was detected using immunohistochemistry and image analysis technologies.The phosphorylation level of Cx43 in mouse myocardium of each model was determined with Western blot technology.Results The stress-related cardiomyopathy changes were observed in the mouse hearts of stress group and sudden cardiac death group.Compared to those of the control group,the area of positive immunohistochemistry stain of Cx43 reduced and its distribution also disordered in myocardium of stress and sudden cardiac death mice.The phosphorylation level of Cx43 in myocardium of stress and sudden cardiac death mice was lower than that of the control group.Conclusion Changes in expression,distribution and phosphorylation level of Cx43 in myocardium are of refrerential significance in the identification of sudden cardiac death in mice.