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ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #129741
Title: ISOLATION OF BOVINE DNA FROM BUCCAL AND VAGINAL SAMPLES.

Author
item Sadler, Rebecca
item ANDERSON, MOLLY
item ASHWELL, MELISSA

Submitted to: Epicentre Forum
Publication Type: Trade Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/15/2002
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Our research focuses on identifying genes affecting economically important traits like milk production and reproduction in dairy cattle. This research requires large numbers of animals from complex pedigrees that are studied at DNA markers. We consider both males and females in our projects, isolating DNA from semen for males and normally using blood as a reliable source for females. However, collection of blood from cows located on the farm is expensive because a veterinarian usually collects the blood and then the samples must be quickly shipped to the laboratory for processing. Upon arrival, samples would be extracted using either inexpensive, labor- intensive methods or quicker, more expensive, methods. We elected to evaluate the BuccalAmp kit due to the ease of sample collection, economical method of storage and shipping, and the rapid processing of the samples. We collected buccal and vaginal samples from cows using the swabs provided in the kit. Swabs were processed on the same day of collection, while others were kept at room temperature for one week and 20oC for one month. We found no discrepancy in the quality or quantity of DNA obtained from swabs that were processed the same day and those that were stored and processed at a later time. Furthermore, the actual DNA yield surpassed our expectations, with an average DNA concentration of 200 ng/ul. Most importantly, all of these samples repeatedly PCR-amplified using fluorescently-tagged primers. In conclusion, the BuccalAmp kit was ideal for acquiring vaginal samples using noninvasive methods, providing high quality DNA in a timely fashion.