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An improved method for detecting Y chromosomal DNA

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Summary

The DNA probe Y97 was derived from a repeat sequence in the human Y centromere, a region which must be present in a mitotically functional Y chromosome. We have demonstrated that Y97, which detects a Y-specific 5.5-kb Eco RI fragment by Southern analysis, is very useful for the molecular detection of small amounts of Y-derived material and represents a significant improvement over previous tests for molecular diagnosis of sex. The male-female difference in hybridization was unequivocal even when only 25 ng of total DNA was used per lane. Furthermore, in mixing experiments the 5.5-kb Eco RI fragment was detectable even when only 5% of the total DNA was male. By increasing hybridization stringency, we have developed a rapid, sensitive, and accurate method to detect Y chromosomal DNA in unrestricted samples.

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Stalvey, J.R.D., Erickson, R.P. An improved method for detecting Y chromosomal DNA. Hum Genet 76, 240–243 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00283615

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00283615

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