Premium
Empirical evaluation of preservation methods for faecal DNA
Author(s) -
FRANTZEN M. A. J.,
SILK J. B.,
FERGUSON J. W. H.,
WAYNE R. K.,
KOHN M. H.
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
molecular ecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.619
H-Index - 225
eISSN - 1365-294X
pISSN - 0962-1083
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-294x.1998.00449.x
Subject(s) - biology , mitochondrial dna , nuclear dna , dna , genotyping , feces , dna extraction , polymerase chain reaction , microbiology and biotechnology , genetics , genotype , gene
We evaluate the relative effectiveness of four methods for preserving faecal samples for DNA analysis. PCR assays of fresh faecal samples collected from free‐ranging baboons showed that amplification success was dependent on preservation method, PCR‐product size, and whether nuclear or mitochondrial DNA was assayed. Storage in a DMSO/EDTA/Tris/salt solution (DETs) was most effective for preserving nuclear DNA, but storage in 70% ethanol, freezing at –20°C and drying performed approximately equally well for mitochondrial DNA and short (<200 bp) nuclear DNA fragments. Because faecal DNA is diluted and degraded, repeated extractions from faeces may be necessary and short nuclear markers should be employed for genotyping. A review of molecular scatology studies further suggests that three to six faeces per individual should be collected.