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A reliable genetic technique for sex determination of giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) from non-invasively collected hair samples

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Abstract

Extractions from non-invasive hair samples usually yield low amounts of highly degraded DNA. Previously developed mammal molecular sexing methods were not designed with such sub-optimal conditions in mind. We developed a simple and reliable PCR-based sexing method aimed at degraded, low yield DNA extractions from the giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca). Comparisons of this new primer set with others showed that the reliability of sex determination from low-yield, degraded DNA extractions was improved if; amplification products were short (<170 bp); and the Y-chromosome amplification product was shorter than the X-chromosome amplification product. The primers developed in this study appear useful for sex determination in other bear species.

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Acknowledgements

We acknowledge the financial and administrative support received from the Johnson and Johnson worldwide headquarters and their affiliate companies in China with special thanks to Xian-Janssen Ltd. Funding from the Zoological Society of San Diego (MED). Financial support was also provided by the A. Starker Leopold Endowed Chair (DRM). We are especially grateful to Leona Chemnick, Heidi Davis, and Emily Stremel for their assistance with sample collection and processing. We are also grateful to Mary Beth Rew and Martine Bérubé for invaluable advice on laboratory procedures.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Environmental Science, Policy and Management, University of California Berkeley, 137 Mulford Hall, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA

    Matthew E. Durnin, Per J. Palsbøll & Dale R. McCullough

  2. Center for Reproduction of Endangered Species, Zoological Society of San Diego, PO Box 120551, San Diego, CA, 92112, USA

    Oliver A. Ryder

  3. Ornithology and Mammalogy, California Academy of Sciences, 875 Howard St., San Francisco, CA, 94103, USA

    Matthew E. Durnin

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  1. Matthew E. Durnin
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  2. Per J. Palsbøll
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  3. Oliver A. Ryder
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  4. Dale R. McCullough
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Correspondence to Matthew E. Durnin.

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Durnin, M.E., Palsbøll, P.J., Ryder, O.A. et al. A reliable genetic technique for sex determination of giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) from non-invasively collected hair samples. Conserv Genet 8, 715–720 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10592-006-9196-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10592-006-9196-8

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