Paternity Analysis Fact Sheet
Background
In theory an individual inherits half their DNA from their mother and half from their father.
When assessing parentage the pup’s DNA profile (genotype) is compared with that of the Dam. Any alleles (fragments of DNA) present in the pup that are not in the mother are concluded to have come from the Sire.
Ten canine specific microsatellite markers allows for an individual DNA profile unique to that individual. Each marker generates two alleles (bands) of a particular size (base pairs). When the alleles are the same size we call this individual homozygous ie. it has inherited two identical sized bands from each parent. Where the two bands appear as different sizes we call this heterozygous that is it has inherited one specific sized allele from each parent.
Example of paternity analysis
Parentage is verified by comparing the profile of the dam, pup(s) and sire at all 10 markers. In some cases letters are used as a representation of the real size data. All Greyhound Association results are shown as real data (base pair numbers) as shown below.
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A PUP has the alleles
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121 125 for canine marker FHC2054
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223 223 for canine marker PEZ08
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The DAM has the alleles
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121 121 for canine marker FHC2054
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223 227 for canine marker PEZ08
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Therefore, by comparing the DNA profile of the PUP with the DAM we can conclude that the PUP has inherited allele 121 for marker FHC2054 and 223 for marker PEZ08 from the DAM. Allele 125 for FHC2054 and 223 for PEZ08 must be passed on paternally ie. from the SIRE.
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SIRE 1 has the alleles
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121 125 for canine marker FHC2054
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223 223 for canine marker PEZ08
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INCLUSION there is a common allele between the pup and alleged sire indicates possible paternity.
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SIRE 2 has the alleles
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121 121 for canine marker FHC2054
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227 231 for canine marker PEZ08
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EXCLUSION there is no common allele between pup and the alleged sire.
