Sex determination in the domestic pig by DNA amplification using the HMG-box sequence

We describe a rapid, reliable method for the sexing of domestic pigs (Sus scrofa domestica) by amplification of Y-chromosome specific sequences in male genomic DNA using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Oligonucleotide primers were selected from a conserved sequence motif, the HMG box, in the sequence of porcine Sry. These primers permit amplification of a defined 146 by fragment only from male-specific genomic DNA. As a control, autosomal-specific primers were also used in the PCR reactions, recognising a sequence from a porcine homeobox gene that is amplifiable in genomic DNA from both males and females. This sensitive method will find application in the sexing of biopsied, pre-implantation embryos and foetuses used for the derivation of embryonic cell lines and germ-cell derivatives, for use in the new biotechnologies; and in the analysis of male-specific sequences in intersex pigs.