Rita Loch-Caruso Author

Research Article Open Access

Comparison of Rat Fetal Sex Determination Using Placental gDNA and mRNA via qRT-PCR

Author(s):

Anthony L Su and Rita Loch-Caruso

A growing need exists to consider fetal sex as a biological variable and accurately assess sex-specific effects. Among the multiple methods used to determine fetal sex, quantitative realtime polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) of Sry (sexdetermining region Y) with genomic DNA (gDNA) is commonly used in addition to use of methodologies such as transcriptomics and detection of Barr body. However, Sry messenger RNA (mRNA), a product of SrygDNA, has not been previously assessed for sex determination. Using placental samples from timed-pregnant Wistar rats at gestational day (GD) 16, this study assessed the compatibility of Sry detection using gDNA versus mRNA to determine fetal sex. Samples used in this current study come from a larger study that investigated trichloroethylene (TCE) reprodu... view more»

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