Where is the DNA in dog poop?We like to say, the is NO DNA in dog poop, at least not the dog's DNA. However, as the dog poop's cells from the intestine and colon are scrapped off into the surface of the poop. That means, you have to separate the surface of the poop with the dog's DNA from the 99% of the inner poop which does not have any DNA. For a better explanation of where the DNA is and how to get the part of the poop with the highest chance of matching a dog, look at the graphic below. Of course seeing it on a diagram and actually doing it are quite different. In fact, we only provide a Popsicle stick (it is actually a sterile tongue depressor) to slice the poop. As many people have found out, not the best tool for cutting up dog poop. Although as disgusting as this may sound, holding the poop (gloves provided) and scraping the surface of the poop trying to get only the top 1/16 of an inch of the poop is ideal. We tell people to think of peeling a potato. Just thin slices of the surface is what is needed. The more of the inside of the poop that is added to the collection tube the faster the DNA will degrade. Since there is none of the dog's DNA inside the poop, you have to make sure you don't include any of that with the sample. Dog poop is rich with acids, bacteria and enzymes that digested the food the dog ate and turned it into poop. Those acids, bacteria and enzymes will continue to digest the cells containing the DNA. So minimizing the DNA to those digestors is important. We provide a solution in our DNA collection kits that will help neutralize the acids, bacteria and enzymes and extend the life of he DNA in the sample. But even with the solution the max life is about 2 weeks before it is too degraded to get a viable DNA profile.
There is only 25ml of solution, so adding more poop will make the solution less effective. Only the scrapings of the outside bringing the solution volume up to 35-40ml is more than enough. When done properly and send to the lab soon enough, you will get a very good DNA profile usually at least 15 of the 23 markers that are in our multiplex. Same samples are as good as 23 markers, but that is rare since not all dogs have every one of the markers. The fact is, it is very possible to get DNA from dog poop and match the dogs on the property, if the dog poop is properly processed by the collector. If your program is having poor results from collections, you need to analyze what you might be doing wrong. This page is just a very simple explanation of how to get the DNA, by no means is it a comprehensive set of instructions. To get good consistent collections, you will need to learn the process in much more detail. |
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