Determination of sex origin of meat from cattle, sheep and goat using PCR based assay

Abstract

Sex determination of domestic animal's meat is of potential value in meat authentication and quality control studies. The job becomes easier if the same assay could serve the purpose for all three species i.e. cattle, sheep and goat. The objective of this study was to develop a simple and accurate PCR-based sex determination protocol, which can be applicable to cattle, sheep and goat meat. Based on the amelogenin gene located on the X and Y chromosomes, a pair of primers was designed and the system of PCR was optimized. Upon PCR amplification, male tissue showed 2 bands, while female tissue resulted in only one band. The accuracy and specificity of the primers was assessed using genomic DNA extracted from meat samples of known sex. The protocol was subjected to a blind test and showed 100% concordance, proving its accuracy and reliability. The technique also claims its utility in resolving legal cases related to sex origin of these animals.