Skip to main content
Log in

Digoxigenin labelling and laser capture microdissection of male cells

  • Technical Note
  • Published:
International Journal of Legal Medicine Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Laser capture microdissection (LMD) is a relatively new technique for the isolation of single cells. The application in forensic investigations has become more and more widespread, especially to select spermatozoa out of mixtures with vaginal cells. In particular in cases with low numbers of sperm it could be profitable to isolate all male cells (e.g. sperm and male epithelial cells) instead of focussing on the sperm only. Therefore, the specific labelling and detection of the male cells in a male/female cell mixture is necessary. In order to label all cells carrying a Y-chromosome we used a digoxigenin labelled chromosome Y hybridisation probe (Q Biogen). The stained cells were isolated with the SL μCut LMD system from Molecular Machines & Industries AG (MMI). At least ten diploid male cells were required to obtain a partial STR profile, with 20 cells, a full profile could be obtained.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Becker I, Becker KF, Röhrl MH, Höfler H (1997) Laser-assisted preparation of single cells from stained histological slides for gene analysis. Histochem Cell Biol 108:447–451

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cerri N, Ricci U, Sani I, Verzeletti A, De Ferrari F (2003) Mixed stains from sexual assault cases: autosomal or Y-chromosome short tandem repeats? Croat Med J 44:289–292

    Google Scholar 

  • Dettlaff-Kakol A, Pawlowski R (2002) First Polish DNA “manhunt”—an application of Y-chromosome STRs. Int J Leg Med 116:289–291

    Google Scholar 

  • Egeland T, Dalen I, Mostad PF (2003) Estimating the number of contributors to a DNA profile. Int J Leg Med 117:271–275

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Elliot K, Hill DS, Lambert C, Burroughes TR, Gill P (2003) Use of laser microdissection greatly improves the recovery of DNA from sperm on microscope slides. Forensic Sci Int 137:28–36

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hu YQ, Fung WK (2003) Interpreting DNA mixtures with the presence of relatives. Int J Leg Med 2003:39–45

    Google Scholar 

  • Parson W, Niederstatter H, Brandstatter A, Berger B (2003) Improved specificity of Y-STR typing in DNA mixture samples. Int J Leg Med 117:109–114

    Google Scholar 

  • Schoell WM, Klintschar M, Mirhashemi R, Pertl B (1999) Separation of sperm and vaginal cells with flow cytometry for DNA typing after sexual assault. Obstet Gynecol 94:623–627

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schwarz S, Depinet TW, Leana-Cox J et al. (1997) Sex chromosome markers: characterization using fluorescence in situ hybridisation and review of the literature. Am J Med Genet 71:1–7

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sibille I, Duverneuil C, Lorin de la Grandmaison G, Guerrouache K, Teissiere F, Durigon M, de Mazancourt P (2002) Y-STR DNA amplification as biological evidence in sexually assaulted female victims with no cytological detection of spermatozoa. Forensic Sci Int 125:212–216

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to K. Anslinger.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Anslinger, K., Mack, B., Bayer, B. et al. Digoxigenin labelling and laser capture microdissection of male cells. Int J Legal Med 119, 374–377 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00414-005-0523-2

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00414-005-0523-2

Keywords

Navigation