Sex Identification Technique in Sheep Based on AMEL Gene

GUAN Feng et al(College of Life Sciences,China Jiliang University,Hangzhou,Zhejiang 310018)

AMEL gene;SRY gene;Sheep;Sex identification

[Objective] The aim of the research was to discuss the feasibility of applying Amelogenin(AMEL) gene in the sex identification of sheep.[Method] Genomic DNA was extracted from the ear skin of Hu sheep by using phenol-chloroform method.With DNA in male Hu sheep and female Hu sheep as templates,AMEL primer and SRY premier were used for PCR amplification.[Result] Through amplification, one band of 270 bp from X chromosome was obtained from ewe and two bands of 270 bp and 210 bp were obtained from ram.The detection results of 10 shares of known DNA samples by using two methods were completely accordant with the actual sex.The electrophoresis bands of PCR products were very clear,the electrophoresis band number in the same sex were accordant and the band number and fragment length had significant difference among different sexes.The actual electrophoresis band number of DNA in female individuals after amplification with AMEL primer were accordant with the theoretical electrophoresis band number,but the results from male sheep were not accordant,which might be related with the non-specific amplification.[Conclusion] AMEL gene had higher sensitivity than SRY gene and could be applied in judging the sex of the animals with XY chromosome.