Detection of bovine foetal DNA from amniotic fluid using the polymerase chain reaction

The aims of this study were to evaluate the amount of amniotic fluid required for diagnosis of sex, milk protein and microsatellite variants by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and to review methods for isolating DNA from the amniotic cells. Uterine and foetal tissues were used as controls, and milk protein and microsatellite variants to check contamination of maternal cells in the PCR. The results showed that the samples do not need to be purified after DNA release from the amniotic cells and that as little as 0.5-1.5 ml of amniotic fluid is sufficient for reliable diagnosis by PCR.