OBJECTIVES: To observe and analyse the Amelogenin allelic loss in parent-child identification cases, and to explore the type and mechanism of Amelogenin allelic loss as well as its influence on gender identification and solutions. METHODS: After the detection by SiFaSTR™ 23plex DNA identification system, samples had the characteristics of the peak area of Amelogenin X was the same as the one of adjacent heterozygote or lower than one half of adjacent homozygote in females while Amelogenin X loss was observed in males were selected. X chromosome STR （X-STR） typing and Amelogenin X sequencing were performed. The samples with Amelogenin Y loss in males were confirmed by the detection of Y chromosome STR typing and sex-determining region of Y （SRY）. The type and rate of Amelogenin allelic loss were confirmed and calculated, and the mechanism and influence of this variation were also analysed. RESULTS: Amelogenin X allelic loss was observed in one male sample, the mutation in primer-binding region was confirmed by sequencing. The suspected Amelogenin X allelic loss was observed in four female samples, but the mutation in primer-binding region was confirmed by sequencing in only one sample. Amelogenin Y allelic loss was observed in seven male samples, SRY positive cases was detected in five of them, and two were SRY negative. Y-STR type was detected in four cases of the five SRY positive cases, which was not detected in the two SRY negative cases. The rate of Amelogenin allelic loss was about 0.029%. CONCLUSIONS Amelogenin X allelic loss does not affect the gender identification, but Amelogenin Y allelic loss may cause wrong gender identification. Thus, Y-STR or SRY should be detected for gender confirmation. When Y-STR genotypes are not detected in a "male" whose SRY detection is also negative, then the chromosome karyotype analysis and sex differentiation related genes test should be taken to further confirm the gender.
Amelogenin/genetics* ; DNA/genetics* ; Female ; Humans ; Loss of Heterozygosity/genetics* ; Male ; Sex Determination Analysis

To explore the application of fetal DNA in maternal plasma for noninvasive prenatal diagnosis, the DNA template was extracted by hydroxybenzene-chloroform from 44 maternal (7-41 weeks) plasma. The Fetus-derived Y sequence DYZ-1 gene (149bp) was chosen to be amplified by PCR. The fragment was identified in all the plasma of male bearing pregnant women with the diagnostic accordance rate being 100.00%. Two of the 22 female bearing pregnant women had false positive results. Among the 44 pregnant women, the diagnostic accordance rate was 88.89% at early pregnant stage, 100.00% at medium pregnant stage, and 96.55% at late stage respectively. The final accuracy of 95.45% was obtained in all cases. It was concluded that by means of hydroxybenzene-chloroform extraction the authors of this article promoted the concentration and purity of the DNA template, and diagnosed more accurately. The results showed that free fetal DNA in the maternal plasma could be regarded as the gene resource for noninvasive prenatal diagnosis.
DNA/*blood ; DNA Primers ; Fetus ; Maternal-Fetal Exchange ; Pregnancy/*blood ; Prenatal Diagnosis/*methods ; *Sex Determination (Genetics)

Alleles ; Amelogenin/genetics* ; Chromosomes, Human, Y ; Humans ; Male ; Sex Determination Analysis

OBJECTIVETo explore the application of fetal DNA in maternal plasma for uninvasive prenatal diagnosis.

METHODSThe DNA template was extracted by hydroxybenzene-chloroform from 44 maternal (7-41 weeks) plasma. A Y-chromosome-specific repeat sequence-DYZ1 gene (149 bp) was chosen to be amplified by PCR.

RESULTSThe fragment was identified in all the plasma of male bearing pregnant women. The diagnostic accordance rate was 100.00%; two of the 22 female bearing pregnant women had false positive results. Among the 44 pregnant women, the diagnostic accordance rate was 88.89% at early pregnant stage, 100.00% at medium pregnant stage, and 96.55% at late stage respectively. The final accuracy of 95.45% was obtained in all cases.

CONCLUSIONBy means of hydroxybenzene-chloroform extraction the authors of this article promoted the concentration and purity of the DNA template, and diagnosed more accurately. The results showed that free fetal DNA in the maternal plasma could be regarded as the gene resource for uninvasive prenatal diagnosis.

DNA ; blood ; genetics ; Female ; Fetus ; metabolism ; Humans ; Pregnancy ; Prenatal Diagnosis ; methods ; Sex Determination Processes

We describe a rapid and efficient diagnostic method for sex determination and the dystrophin gene by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using archived cytogenetic slides. Archived cytogenetic slides stored for about 4 years at room temperature were used. To confirm whether DNA analysis is possible using the archived cytogenetic slides, we extracted the DNA from the slides and amplified the Y centromeric region (DYZ3), the X centromeric region (DXZ1) and the exon 46 of the dystrophin gene. Of the 50 cases, 24 were peripheral bloods, 13 were amniotic fluid cells, 5 were chorionic villus samplings and 8 were cord bloods. The PCR related sex determination in 22 females and 28 males, showed 100% concordance with the results of chromosome analysis, and all cases showed positive band for the exon 46 of the dystrophin gene. Of the 50 cases of the archived cytogenetic slides, we were fortunate enough to obtain the fresh blood sample from one fetus whose karyotype showed 45,X[34]/46,X,+mar[145] to compare the results of the gDNA with that from archived cytogenetic slide. To confirm whether the marker chromosome was derived from Y chromosome, we studied the six loci (PABY, SRY, RPS4Y (SY16, 17), ZFY, DYS14) on the short arm, one locus (DYZ3) on the centromere and one locus (DYZ1) on the long arm. Of the 8 loci studies, all PCR related Y chromosome showed positive band from both gDNA obtained from cord blood and archived cytogenetic slides. We could conclude from the above results that the marker chromosome was derived from the Y chromosome. We believe our experiment is rapid and efficient for studies of over 10 independent loci from a single slide which has been kept in storage for up to 4 years and that archival Giemsa-stained cytogenetic slide repositories represent valuable DNA resources for clinical and forensic studies.
DNA/genetics ; DNA/analysis* ; Dystrophin/genetics* ; Female ; Human ; Male ; Muscular Dystrophies/genetics ; Polymerase Chain Reaction/methods* ; Sex Determination (Genetics)* ; Specimen Handling/methods* ; Time Factors

In order to evaluate the effects of sex chromosomal mosaicism on the accuracy of single-cell gender diagnosis, sex chromosomes of 21 normal fertilized embryos were detected by dual color fluorescent in-situ hybridization (FISH). The results showed that 4 embryos had sex chromosomal mosaicism (19%) and the remaining 17 showed uniformly XX or XY signals in all blastomeres. In conclusion, identification of sex by dual color FISH analysis of a single cell was accurate and efficient, and sex chromosomal mosaicism would not affect preimplantation gender diagnosis.
Blastocyst ; Chromosomes, Human, X ; genetics ; Chromosomes, Human, Y ; genetics ; Embryonic Development ; Female ; Humans ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; Mosaicism ; genetics ; Pregnancy ; Preimplantation Diagnosis ; methods ; Sex Chromosome Aberrations ; embryology ; Sex Chromosome Disorders ; diagnosis ; Sex Determination Processes

OBJECTIVETo set up a technique of single lymphocytes 3-plex nested PCR for dystrophin and SRY gene, and to evaluate the possibility of using this technique for preimplantation genetic diagnosis(PGD) of deleted Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) with family history.

METHODSFifty single lymphocytes of a normal male and fifty of a normal female were obtained for detecting dystrophin gene(exon 51, exon 19, exon 48) and SRY gene by 3-plex nested PCR.

RESULTSIn the group of exon 51/exon 19/SRY, the amplification rates of exon 51, exon 19 and SRY in male were 96%, 94% and 94%; the amplification rates of exon 51 and exon19 in female were 94% and 94%, respectively. In the exon 48/exon 19/SRY group, the amplification rates of exon 48, exon 19 and SRY in male were 92%, 90% and 94%, the amplification rates of exon 48, exon 19 in female were 94% and 92%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe technique of single lymphocytes 3-plex nested PCR for dystrophin and SRY gene established in this study is highly sensitive, specific and reliable, and is suitable for PGD of deleted DMD with family history.

Dystrophin ; genetics ; Exons ; genetics ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; Preimplantation Diagnosis ; methods ; Reproducibility of Results ; Sequence Deletion ; Sex Determination Processes

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical and genetic characteristics of a patient with mixed gonadal dysgenesis.

METHODSClinical data was collected. The patient was subjected for serum hormone testing and G-banding chromosomal analysis. Sex-determining region of Y-chromosome (SRY) gene and azoospermia factor (AZF) a, b, c regions were analyzed with multiple polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and whole gene sequencing.

RESULTSAll serum hormone testing were normal. The karyotype of the patient was 45,X/46,X,Yqh-. PCR has proven the presence of SRY, ZFY and AZFa, and deletion of AZFb and AZFc regions. No mutation was detected in the sequence of the SRY gene. Abdominal computerized tomography has detected a huge mass in the pelvic cavity, which was positive for PLAP and CD117 on immunohistochemistry stain.

CONCLUSIONBased on clinical data and result of genetic testing, the patient was diagnosed with mixed gonadal dysgenesis. Pathological and immunohistochemistry analysis of the transformed gland has confirmed the diagnosis of seminoma. For patient with a karyotype of 45,X/46,X,Yqh-, the risk of seminoma may be related with the presence of SRY gene.

Chromosome Banding ; Chromosomes, Human, Y ; genetics ; Female ; Genes, sry ; Gonadal Dysgenesis, Mixed ; diagnosis ; genetics ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Sex Determination Analysis

OBJECTIVEUsing nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to perform preimplantation gender diagnosis.

METHODSOne (or two) lymphocyte and blastomere (n=50/group) were collected and prepared under the following conditions: (1) water only (H(2)O); (2) freeze-thaw liquid nitrogen, then boiling; (3) potassium hydroxide/dithiotheriol, heated to 65 degree centigrade, followed by acid neutralization (KOH). Cells were analyzed by PCR using nested primers amplification with amelogenin gene.

RESULTSThe amplification rate and allele dropout (ADO) rate for male lymphocytes by the three methods were 83%, 94%, 95% and 24%, 12%, 4%, respectively. Using two cells per reaction did not increase the amplification rate for the KOH method.

CONCLUSIONThe KOH method for DNA preparation is superior to the other methods evaluated. Dual blastomere biopsy and independent blastomere analysis may improve preimplantation diagnostic reliability.

Amelogenin ; Blastocyst ; cytology ; metabolism ; Blastomeres ; cytology ; metabolism ; DNA ; genetics ; Dental Enamel Proteins ; genetics ; Female ; Genotype ; Humans ; Lymphocytes ; cytology ; metabolism ; Male ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; Sex Determination Analysis ; methods

OBJECTIVETo extracted DNA from ancient human teeth dated 3000 years ago unearthed in Xi'an and determine the genders for the individuals.

METHODSThirty five ancient human teeth were studied. A 'Reverse-root-canal' technique and a Chelex-100 solution were used to extract the DNA. Specific primers for Amelogenin gene were designed for PCR amplification.

RESULTSGenomic DNA was successfully extracted from 30 samples, for which 8 were determined to be males and 22 were females.

CONCLUSIONThe 'Reverse-root-canal' technique may be used for extracting DNA from ancient human teeth. Genetics method can supplement physical anthropology for determination of sex for ancient samples.

Amelogenin ; genetics ; China ; DNA ; analysis ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Female ; History, Ancient ; Humans ; Male ; Paleodontology ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Sex Determination Analysis ; Tooth ; chemistry