title: Empirical evaluation of preservation methods for faecal DNA.
abstract: 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 degrees 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, South Africa. michaelk@biology.ucla.edu
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Frantzen
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Silk
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Ferguson
authors.forename: R K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Wayne
authors.forename: M H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Kohn
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D004247:DNA / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D017931:DNA Primers / Q000235:genetics; D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D017753:Ecosystem; D003576:Electron Transport Complex IV / Q000235:genetics; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005243:Feces / Q000737:chemistry*; D005828:Genetics, Population; D005838:Genotype; D010215:Papio / Q000235:genetics*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011309:Preservation, Biological / Q000379:methods*; D012996:Solutions
chemical_list: D017931:DNA Primers; D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial; D012996:Solutions; D004247:DNA; D003576:Electron Transport Complex IV