PCR AMPLIFICATION OF ANIMAL DNA WITH HUMAN X-Y AMELOGENIN PRIMERS USED IN GENDER DETERMINATION

The X-Y homologous gene amelogenin has been described for use as a PCR sex typing test for humans. Previous studies have revealed that appro priate primers yield a 106 and 112 bp fragment from the human X and Y chromosome respectively. Our studies have found that a PCR product is also obtained from DNA isolated from a number of common animals. This animal PCR product is very close in size to that of the human female P CR derived product and may be confused as human under routine agarose gel electrophoresis. in this report we detail the variety of animals e xamined and a method that can maximize the usefulness of this system.