L. Zöldág

Canine STR analyses in forensic practice. Observation of a possible mutation in a dog hair.

Abstract. In a case of the death of a 7-year-old boy, the police investigations revealed a possible dog attack contrary to the witness testimonies. DNA investigations were carried out from hairs, saliva and bloodstains with 10 canine-specific STR loci by the use of fluorescently labelled multiplex PCR and the ABI PRISM 310 genetic analyzer. The analysis of one hair sample revealed one allele deviation from the profile of the putative Rottweiler perpetrator possibly caused by a mutation. The PCR fragments in question at the PEZ20 locus were sequenced and compared with the alleles detected in the Hungarian canine population and identified on a repeat number basis. The allele frequencies were determined based on typing of 242 genetically independent canine individuals from 72 breeds. The results suggested that two of the canine individuals could be the perpetrators.

Canine microsatellite polymorphisms as the resolution of an illegal animal death case in a Hungarian Zoological Gardens

Abstract Several animal carcasses were found in the paddocks of a Hungarian County Zoo during 1 week. The ¶14 animals killed were thought to be the victims of a dogfight training. The primary suspect was the security guard of the Zoo with his guard dogs. DNA tests were carried out on hairs and bloodstains and 10 canine-specific STR loci were analysed by fluorescently labelled multiplex PCR using the ABI PRISM 310 Genetic Analyzer. The results confirmed that the killer was a single animal and all of the guard dogs were excluded.

Study of the soil-plant (carrot)-animal cycle of nutritive and hazardous minerals in a rabbit model

Carrots were grown on soils polluted by heavy metal salts. Each particular microelement reached a high concentration [molybdenum (Mo) 39.00, cadmium (Cd) 2.30, lead (Pb) 4.01, mercury (Hg) 30.00, and selenium (Se) 36.20 mg/kg dry matter] in the carrot. In a metabolic balance trial conducted with 15 male and 15 female New Zealand White rabbits, the control animals (n = 5) were fed ad libitum with concentrate as basal diet, while the other rabbits received the basal diet and carrots containing the particular microelement. Blood samples were taken to determine the activity of serum enzymes. To investigate the metabolism of Mo, Cd, Pb, Hg and Se, samples were taken from the heart, liver, lungs, kidneys, spleen, ovaries/testicles, entire digestive tract, adipose tissue, femur, hair, faeces and urine. Carrot had significantly higher digestibility for all nutrients than the rabbit concentrate. Carrot samples of high Pb content had the lowest digestibility of crude protein. The microelements differed in their rate of accumulation in the organs examined: Mo and Cd accumulated in the kidneys, Pb in the kidneys, liver, bones and lungs, Hg in the kidneys and liver, while Se in the liver, kidneys and heart. The proportions of microelements eliminated from the body either via the faeces and urine (Mo 80.18% and Se 47.41%) or via the faeces (Cd 37.86%, Pb 66.39%, Hg 64.65%) were determined. Pathohistological examination revealed that the rate of spermatogenesis was reduced in the Mo, Cd, Pb and Hg groups compared to the control. Lead, Cd and Hg intake resulted in a considerable decrease in gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) and in an increase of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity because of damages to the kidneys and bones. All experimental treatments decreased the activity of cholinesterase (CHE) because of lesions in the liver.

Importance of canine identification in the Hungarian forensic practice

Abstract Hungary has an old long cynophilic and cynologic tradition, and a significantly high canine population. However, during the last years, several (even lethal) attacks to man were observed. In some cases, the human remains on the dogs body or stomach content can prove the animal as perpetrator. Lacking this evidence, the availability of certain canine-specific polymorphic STR loci is a significant tool for identification of canine individuals by their remains in the victims clothes or the environment of the attack to solve such cases. Ten canine-specific STR loci were analyzed by fluorescently labeled multiplex PCR. The automated data collection was performed and compared applying fluorescent ladder. The forensic practice requires the availability of sequenced allelic ladders—which are constructed—and data concerning the frequency of the alleles in the local canine population (population studies are examined continuously in mixed and purebred populations).