1
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Hudson BC, Dawson Green T. Modified differential lysis for sexual assault samples using a combined enzymatic and alkaline approach. Forensic Sci Res 2024; 9:owae022. [PMID: 38831792 PMCID: PMC11146638 DOI: 10.1093/fsr/owae022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Sexual assault sample processing, despite recent funding and research efforts, remains time-consuming, labourious, and inefficient. These limitations, combined with the prevalence of sexual assaults, have prompted the need to develop a cheaper, quicker, and more robust method for separating victim and perpetrator contributions within sexual assault evidence so that analysts can keep pace with submissions and cases can be resolved in a timely manner. Thus, this study examined the use of a combined enzymatic and alkaline approach for differential cell lysis-with the goal of developing a quick, cheap, and more efficient DNA isolation method. Quantification results for this assay revealed that (72.0 ± 18.3)%, (15.8 ± 14.2)%, and (29.5 ± 23.7)% of total DNA were retained in sperm fractions for neat semen, neat vaginal, and semen-vaginal mixture eluates, respectively. Short tandem repeat (STR) analysis of mixture samples processed with this technique exhibited sperm fraction DNA profiles with mean male-to-female ratios of 1.74:1, which was a 3.01 ± 2.30-fold improvement in male-to-female ratios and led to the recovery of 5.90 ± 7.80 unshared male contributor alleles in sperm fractions that were otherwise undetected in unseparated controls. Overall, this study presented a modified differential lysis approach using prepGEM™ and sodium hydroxide treatments that can accomplish cell elution and fractional lysis within 25 min. Future studies should investigate alternative "non-sperm" cell lysis methods to enhance lysis efficiency and minimize the potential for inhibition, as well as the optimization and automation of this technique. Key points Traditional sexual assault sample processing methods are time-consuming and inefficient.This modified differential lysis method produces lysates with sufficient DNA yield and quality.A combined technique using enzymatic and alkaline lysis can accomplish fractional separation.Lysis with prepGEM and NaOH absent purification is compatible with downstream processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brittany C Hudson
- Department of Forensic Science, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
- Integrative Life Sciences, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Tracey Dawson Green
- Department of Forensic Science, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
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2
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Yadav KK, Boley PA, Laocharoensuk T, Khatiwada S, Lee CM, Bhandari M, Moore L, Hanson J, Kenney SP. Infectious hepatitis E virus is associated with the mature sperm head. PLoS Pathog 2024; 20:e1012240. [PMID: 38768240 PMCID: PMC11142709 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1012240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2024] [Revised: 05/31/2024] [Accepted: 05/04/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is the leading cause of acute viral hepatitis worldwide. HEV associated pregnancy mortality has been reported as up to 30% in humans. Recent findings suggest HEV may elicit effects directly in the reproductive system with HEV protein found in the testis, viral RNA in semen, and viral replication occurring in placental cell types. Using a natural host model for HEV infection, pigs, we demonstrate infectious HEV within the mature spermatozoa and altered sperm viability from HEV infected pigs. HEV isolated from sperm remained infectious suggesting a potential transmission route via sexual partners. Our findings suggest that HEV should be explored as a possible sexually transmittable disease. Our findings propose that infection routes outside of oral and intravenous infection need to be considered for their potential to contribute to higher mortality in HEV infections when pregnancy is involved and in HEV disease in general.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kush K. Yadav
- Center for Food Animal Health, Department of Animal Sciences, The Ohio State University, Wooster, Ohio, United States of America
- Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, The Ohio State University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Patricia A. Boley
- Center for Food Animal Health, Department of Animal Sciences, The Ohio State University, Wooster, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Thamonpan Laocharoensuk
- Center for Food Animal Health, Department of Animal Sciences, The Ohio State University, Wooster, Ohio, United States of America
- Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, The Ohio State University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Saroj Khatiwada
- Center for Food Animal Health, Department of Animal Sciences, The Ohio State University, Wooster, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Carolyn M. Lee
- Center for Food Animal Health, Department of Animal Sciences, The Ohio State University, Wooster, Ohio, United States of America
- Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, The Ohio State University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Menuka Bhandari
- Center for Food Animal Health, Department of Animal Sciences, The Ohio State University, Wooster, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Lindsey Moore
- The College of Wooster, Wooster, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Juliette Hanson
- Center for Food Animal Health, Department of Animal Sciences, The Ohio State University, Wooster, Ohio, United States of America
- Plant and Animal Agrosecurity Research Facility, Center for Food Animal Health, Department of Animal Sciences, The Ohio State University, Wooster, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Scott P. Kenney
- Center for Food Animal Health, Department of Animal Sciences, The Ohio State University, Wooster, Ohio, United States of America
- Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, The Ohio State University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
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3
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Arya R, Hudson BC, Green TD. Alternative direct-to-amplification cell lysis techniques for forensically relevant non-sperm cells. J Forensic Sci 2023; 68:2116-2127. [PMID: 37779342 DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.15371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Revised: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
While efforts have been made to reduce the pervasive backlog of sexual assault evidence collection kits, the actual laboratory process remains very time-consuming due to the requirement of a differential lysis step before DNA purification, as well as intricate mixture analysis towards the end of the DNA workflow. Recently, an alternative, direct-to-amplification sperm lysis method (using 1 M NaOH) was identified. However, a direct cell lysis method for non-sperm cells has not been identified yet. Thus, the primary objective of this work was to find an alternative method that is quick, inexpensive, and does not require multiple purification steps for the lysis of non-sperm cells in sexual assault samples. In this study, vaginal swab samples were lysed with the control method, prepGEM™, as well as six alternative reagents: alkaline buffer with 25-200 mM NaOH, high-salt stain extraction buffer, modified radioimmunoprecipitation assay (RIPA) buffer, mammalian protein extraction reagent (M-PER™), digitonin buffer, and urea/thiourea buffer. Quantification using Quantifiler® Trio of vaginal and semen lysates revealed that the alkaline (25 mM NaOH) and M-PER™ methods were efficient for the lysis of vaginal epithelial cells without substantial sperm cell lysis. Following quantification, analysis of STR profiles from vaginal lysates revealed that the M-PER™ method showed promising results across all metrics examined, including the percentage of detected STR alleles, mean peak heights, peak height ratio, and interlocus balance. Thus, this method was recommended as an alternative to the traditional differential lysis method for non-sperm cells given its ability to produce amplification-ready lysates without any DNA purification step.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rhea Arya
- Department of Forensic Science, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Brittany C Hudson
- Department of Forensic Science, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
- Integrative Life Sciences, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Tracey Dawson Green
- Department of Forensic Science, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
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4
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Woolf MS, Cunha LL, Hadley KC, Moffett RP, Landers JP. Towards an affinity-free, centrifugal microfluidic system for rapid, automated forensic differential extraction. Anal Chim Acta 2023; 1249:340826. [PMID: 36868762 DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2023.340826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2022] [Revised: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Biological evidence originating from victims of sexual assault is often comprised of unbalanced cellular mixtures with significantly higher contributions from the victim's genetic material. Enrichment of the forensically-critical sperm fraction (SF) with single-source male DNA relies on differential extraction (DE), a manually-intensive process that is prone to contamination. Due to DNA losses from sequential washing steps, some existing DE methods often fail to generate sufficient sperm cell DNA recovery for perpetrator(s) identification. Here, we propose an enzymatic, 'swab-in' rotationally-driven microfluidic device to achieve complete, self-contained, on-disc automation of the forensic DE workflow. This 'swab-in' approach retains the sample within the microdevice, enabling lysis of sperm cells directly from the evidence cutting to improve sperm cell DNA yield. We demonstrate clear proof-of-concept of a centrifugal platform that provides for timed reagent release, temperature control for sequential enzymatic reactions, and enclosed fluidic fractionation that allows for objective evaluation of the DE process chain with a total processing time of ≤15 min. On-disc extraction of buccal or sperm swabs establishes compatibility of the prototype disc with: 1) an entirely enzymatic extraction method, and 2) distinct downstream analysis modalities, such as the PicoGreen® DNA assay for nucleic acid detection and the polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
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Affiliation(s)
- M Shane Woolf
- Department of Chemistry, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Larissa L Cunha
- Department of Chemistry, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA.
| | - Kevyn C Hadley
- Department of Chemistry, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Rachel P Moffett
- Department of Chemistry, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - James P Landers
- Department of Chemistry, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA; Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA; Department of Pathology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
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5
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He C, Li J, Wu Z, Lu C, Huang Z, Luo N, Fan S, Shen J, Liu X, Zhao H. The semenogelin I-derived peptide SgI-52 in seminal plasma participates in sperm selection and clearance by macrophages. Peptides 2022; 153:170799. [PMID: 35427699 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2022.170799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Revised: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Macrophages can phagocytose sperm, especially damaged spermatozoa, in the female genital tract. The semenogelin I-derived peptide SgI-52 in seminal plasma exhibits seminal plasma motility inhibitor (SPMI) activity and can inhibit sperm motility. This raises the question of the role played by SPMIs in macrophage-mediated phagocytosis of sperm. We speculated that SgI-52 promotes sperm clearance by macrophages. Therefore, we investigated the phagocytosis of sperm in different states using this peptide. METHODS SgI-52 was fluorescently labeled, and its binding site for sperm was observed. The ability of macrophages to phagocytose sperm was observed using fluorescence confocal microscopy. Spermatozoa from different sources were co-cultured with SgI-52 in BWW medium for 4 and 22 h to compare the differences in their phagocytosis by macrophages. Sperm motility, induced acrosome reaction, mitochondrial membrane potential, and ATP content were examined after incubation with SgI-52. RESULTS SgI-52 could bind to spermatozoa in different states, mainly to the tail, and then spread to the acrosome. This effect was more pronounced in demembranated spermatozoa. SgI-52 promoted phagocytosis of spermatozoa by macrophages, decreased the mitochondrial membrane potential, and increased the average ATP content of spermatozoa (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS We found for the first time that SgI-52 can bind to spermatozoa in different states and promote their phagocytosis by macrophages. Therefore, we speculate that SgI-52 is involved in the screening of sperm in the female reproductive tract and has potential value in improving assisted reproductive technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaoyong He
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650032, China
| | - Jiankai Li
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650032, China
| | - Zhao Wu
- Department of Reproductive Genetics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650032, China
| | - Chuncheng Lu
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650032, China
| | - Zhuo Huang
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650032, China
| | - Ning Luo
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650032, China
| | - Shipeng Fan
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650032, China
| | - Jihong Shen
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650032, China
| | - Xiaodong Liu
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650032, China
| | - Hui Zhao
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650032, China; Yunnan Province Clinical Research Center for Chronic Kidney Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650032, China.
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6
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White TJ, Rye MS, Tay JW. Developmental validation of an efficient differential separation method incorporating the i‐sep
®
DL
spin column with high sperm
DNA
recovery for the processing of sexual assault samples. J Forensic Sci 2022; 67:1679-1689. [DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.15043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2022] [Revised: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Tammara J. White
- Forensic Biology Department, PathWest Laboratory Medicine Nedlands Western Australia Australia
| | - Marie S. Rye
- Forensic Biology Department, PathWest Laboratory Medicine Nedlands Western Australia Australia
| | - Jasmine W. Tay
- Forensic Biology Department, PathWest Laboratory Medicine Nedlands Western Australia Australia
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7
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Schellhammer SK, Hudson BC, Cox JO, Dawson Green T. Alternative direct‐to‐amplification sperm cell lysis techniques for sexual assault sample processing. J Forensic Sci 2022; 67:1668-1678. [PMID: 35285573 PMCID: PMC9314082 DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.15027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2022] [Revised: 02/13/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The prevalence of sexual assault cases and increasingly sensitive DNA analysis methods have resulted in sexual assault kit backlogs in the United States. Although traditional DNA extraction and purification utilizing detergents, proteinase K, and DTT have been the primary technique for lysing sperm cell fractions from these samples, it is labor‐intensive and inefficient regarding time and sperm DNA recovery – hindering the ability of forensic analysts to keep pace with evidence submissions. Thus, this study examined seven alternative sperm cell lysis techniques to develop a method that could efficiently lyse sperm and consistently generate high‐quality profiles while also reducing time, labor, and cost requirements. Microscopic examination of lysates indicated only Casework Direct and alkaline techniques could lyse all spermatozoa within samples, while quantification results demonstrated all methods performed comparably to the control method of forensicGEM™ Sperm (p > 0.06). Amplification with 0.25 ng DNA revealed that unpurified lysates from Casework Direct, alkaline, and NP‐40 techniques produced DNA profiles with acceptable mean STR peak heights and interlocus balance, both of which were similar to or better than the control. Overall, this study demonstrated the ability of Casework Direct, alkaline, and NP‐40 methods to efficiently lyse spermatozoa and provide high‐quality STR profiles despite the absence of a purification step. Ultimately, based on the data reported herein, alkaline lysis is the recommended alternative sperm lysis approach given its ability to generate high‐quality profiles, save time, and decrease the cost per reaction when compared to traditional sperm cell lysis methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah K. Schellhammer
- Department of Forensic Science Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond Virginia USA
| | - Brittany C. Hudson
- Department of Forensic Science Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond Virginia USA
- Integrative Life Sciences Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond Virginia USA
| | - Jordan O. Cox
- Department of Forensic Science Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond Virginia USA
| | - Tracey Dawson Green
- Department of Forensic Science Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond Virginia USA
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8
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Scott A, Jackson K, Carter M, Comeau R, Layne T, Landers J. Rapid sperm lysis and novel screening approach for human male DNA via colorimetric loop-mediated isothermal amplification. Forensic Sci Int Genet 2019; 43:102139. [PMID: 31487605 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsigen.2019.102139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2019] [Revised: 07/23/2019] [Accepted: 07/29/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Correct identification of probative samples is the first crucial step in the analysis of sexual assault kits (SAKs). We report a nucleic acid-based approach, as an alternative to the widely utilized p30 assay, to screening male DNA from SAKs collected from female victims by combining a rapid lysis protocol with an isothermal amplification method. The enzymatic lysis protocol efficiently digests biological material to release nuclear DNA in 10 min in a single closed tube, including resilient cell types such as sperm cells. The amplification and detection of human male specific DNA is achieved through loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) accompanied with hydroxynaphthol blue, a colorimetric indicator, producing a visually-distinctive color change in the presence of male DNA. The Y-screen approach demonstrated high specificity to human male DNA, can reliably detect target DNA as low as 50 pg, and correctly identified all probative samples from 14 single-blind mock sexual assault samples. In contrast with the widely used p30 assay which requires at least 2 h incubation time and manual application to a lateral flow pad, this Y-screen assay can be completed in half the time, and can be performed in a 96-well format without the need for a fluorescence detector, making facile high-throughput sample screening possible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anchi Scott
- Department of Chemistry, Charlottesville, VA 22904, USA
| | | | - Morgan Carter
- Department of Chemistry, Charlottesville, VA 22904, USA
| | | | - Tiffany Layne
- Department of Chemistry, Charlottesville, VA 22904, USA
| | - James Landers
- Department of Chemistry, Charlottesville, VA 22904, USA; Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Charlottesville, VA 22904, USA; Department of Pathology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22904, USA.
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9
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Automation of the standard DNA differential extraction on the Hamilton AutoLys STAR system: A proof-of-concept study. Forensic Sci Int Genet 2019; 40:96-104. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fsigen.2019.02.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2018] [Revised: 01/30/2019] [Accepted: 02/11/2019] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
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10
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Fikiet MA, Lednev IK. Raman spectroscopic method for semen identification: Azoospermia. Talanta 2019; 194:385-389. [PMID: 30609548 DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2018.10.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2018] [Revised: 10/06/2018] [Accepted: 10/08/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Semen evidence can be of critical importance in assault cases. In the past, semen confirmatory tests relied solely on the presence of sperm. However, current semen tests rely on the detection of proteins in the seminal fluid because some semen contains no sperm, a condition called azoospermia. Our laboratory has been developing a Raman spectroscopic test for identification of dry traces of body fluids, including semen, for forensic purposes. An automatic software has already been built for differentiating all the main body fluids (Muro et al., 2016). The main objective of this study was to evaluate the ability of Raman spectroscopy to identify semen traces in the absence of sperm. For this purpose, a comparative analysis of Raman spectra of semen, seminal fluid and sperm samples obtained from several donors was conducted. It was determined that the contribution of seminal fluid dominates the Raman spectra of semen. This was further confirmed by analyzing Raman spectra of semen obtained from a donor who had had a vasectomy. All of the individual spectra from seminal fluid and azoospermatic semen were correctly identified with a previously made chemometric model as semen. It was concluded that the presence of sperm is not necessary for the correct identification of semen using Raman spectroscopy and chemometrics. This further demonstrates the great potential of Raman spectroscopy as a universal tool for confirmatory identification of all main body fluids for forensic purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marisia A Fikiet
- Chemistry Department, University at Albany, SUNY, 1400 Washington Ave, Albany, NY 12222, United States
| | - Igor K Lednev
- Chemistry Department, University at Albany, SUNY, 1400 Washington Ave, Albany, NY 12222, United States.
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11
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Clark M, Gill J, Sasinouski K, McGuire A. Cold Case Homicides: DNA Testing of Retained Autopsy Sexual Assault Smears. J Forensic Sci 2019; 64:1100-1104. [PMID: 30731031 DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.14023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2018] [Revised: 01/22/2019] [Accepted: 01/22/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Archival medical examiner specimens may contain perpetrator DNA evidence useful in unsolved ("cold case") homicides. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) histology slide archives were searched for sexual assault smears for all 376 female homicides from 1990 to 1999. Of these, the OCME had sexual assault smears on 84 of which 13 slides had sperm. Of these 13, six were still unsolved. DNA profiles were obtained on all six (5 from smears and one from swabs). Combined DNA Index System ( submission resulted in two matches ("hits") for new suspects. In addition, three suspects were eliminated in two cases. Our review of archival sexual assault smears resulted in DNA profiles that were able to assist in the investigation of four cold case homicide investigations. It may be worthwhile for medical examiner offices to search their archival histology slides for sexual assault smears on previously unsolved cases particularly those prior to the mid-1990s when DNA testing was less widely available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle Clark
- Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, 11 Shuttle Road, Farmington, CT, 06032
| | - James Gill
- Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, 11 Shuttle Road, Farmington, CT, 06032
| | - Kristin Sasinouski
- Deputy Director- Forensic Biology and DNA, CT DESPP Division of Scientific Services, 278 Colony Street, Meriden, CT, 06451
| | - Angela McGuire
- Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, 11 Shuttle Road, Farmington, CT, 06032
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12
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Yu JF, Lai YH, Wang TE, Wei YS, Chang YJ, Li SH, Chin SC, Joshi R, Chang HW, Tsai PS. The effects of type I collagenase on the degelification of chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) semen plug and sperm quality. BMC Vet Res 2018; 14:58. [PMID: 29482549 PMCID: PMC5828100 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-018-1389-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2017] [Accepted: 02/21/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Semen from the chimpanzee species becomes a colloidal solid after ejaculation. The formation of this copulatory plug is believed to prevent additional spermatozoa of subsequent mating events from accessing the ova. However, this naturally preserved strategy hampers the processes for sperm preparation. In this study, we investigated whether collagenase can be used to degelify the semen plug and accelerate the semen liquefaction process in zoo captive chimpanzee species (Pan troglodytes). RESULTS We showed that incubation of chimpanzee ejaculates with 0.1% type I collagenase efficiently and significantly (p < 0.05) releases 2.7-fold more spermatozoa from the coagulated ejaculates, and this degelification process did not alter sperm morphology or viability; nor did it stimulate spontaneous capacitation or an acrosome reaction as assessed by tyrosine phosphorylation and peanut agglutinin stains; moreover, based on computer assisted sperm analysis assay, motility-related parameters remained similar to those of untreated spermatozoa. When collagenase effects were evaluated on cryopreserved sperm samples, we observed post collagenase treatment in which 2.5% glycerol, as a cryoprotectant, preserved sperm acrosome integrity better than 7.8%; however, 7.8% glycerol, as a cryoprotectant, maintained sperm motility better than that of 2.5% glycerol. CONCLUSIONS Our results demonstrated for the first time that type I collagenase can be used to obtain a significantly higher number of spermatozoa from colloid chimpanzee semen ejaculate without affecting the physiological properties of spermatozoa, and these results are critical for the subsequent gamete development. Our results would benefit sperm preparation processes and cryopreservation efficiency per ejaculate, as more unaffected spermatozoa can be released from the semen plug within a shorter period of time. These results would also benefit the genetic diversity of the chimpanzee species, using sperm cells from less dominant individuals, and for achieving better pregnancy success in primates with significantly higher amounts of sperm for artificial insemination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jane-Fang Yu
- Conservation and Research Center, Taipei Zoo, 30 Xinguang Road, Section 2, Wenshan, Taipei, 11656, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Hua Lai
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, National Taiwan University, No. 1, Sec. 4, Roosevelt Rd, 10617, Taipei, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Veterinary Medicine, National Taiwan University, No. 1, Sec. 4, Roosevelt Rd, 10617, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Tse-En Wang
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, National Taiwan University, No. 1, Sec. 4, Roosevelt Rd, 10617, Taipei, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Veterinary Medicine, National Taiwan University, No. 1, Sec. 4, Roosevelt Rd, 10617, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Syuan Wei
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, National Taiwan University, No. 1, Sec. 4, Roosevelt Rd, 10617, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Jia Chang
- Conservation and Research Center, Taipei Zoo, 30 Xinguang Road, Section 2, Wenshan, Taipei, 11656, Taiwan
| | - Sheng-Hsiang Li
- Department of Medical Research, Mackay Memorial Hospital, No. 92, Section 2, Zhongshan N. Rd, 251, Tamshui, Taiwan
| | - Shih-Chien Chin
- Conservation and Research Center, Taipei Zoo, 30 Xinguang Road, Section 2, Wenshan, Taipei, 11656, Taiwan
| | - Radhika Joshi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, National Taiwan University, No. 1, Sec. 4, Roosevelt Rd, 10617, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hui-Wen Chang
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, National Taiwan University, No. 1, Sec. 4, Roosevelt Rd, 10617, Taipei, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Molecular and Comparative Pathobiology, National Taiwan University, No. 1, Sec. 4, Roosevelt Rd, 10617, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Shiue Tsai
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, National Taiwan University, No. 1, Sec. 4, Roosevelt Rd, 10617, Taipei, Taiwan.
- Graduate Institute of Veterinary Medicine, National Taiwan University, No. 1, Sec. 4, Roosevelt Rd, 10617, Taipei, Taiwan.
- Research Center for Developmental Biology and Regenerative Medicine, National Taiwan University, No. 1, Sec. 4, Roosevelt Rd, 10617, Taipei, Taiwan.
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13
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Timken MD, Klein SB, Buoncristiani MR. Improving the efficacy of the standard DNA differential extraction method for sexual assault evidence. Forensic Sci Int Genet 2018; 34:170-177. [PMID: 29494880 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsigen.2018.02.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2017] [Revised: 02/14/2018] [Accepted: 02/15/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
The efficacy of a DNA differential extraction procedure relies on reducing the amount of non-sperm female DNA carryover into the sperm fraction, while providing a sufficient recovery of male DNA from the sperm cell component. A standard approach to this extraction is to use a mild initial lysis step to digest the female (epithelial cell) component in the mixture, followed by a series of centrifugation and wash steps to further purify the resulting sperm-pellet fraction. This sperm fraction is then digested in the presence of a chemical reducing agent in preparation for DNA extraction. This method has been employed with relatively few changes since its introduction in the mid-1980s, despite numerous attempts to develop new or improved procedures. In this report, we demonstrate that it is possible to improve the efficacy of the standard differential extraction by applying simple modifications that can reduce the amount of female DNA carryover into the sperm fraction, with no adverse effects on the recovery of male DNA. In one modification, the addition of a second mild lysis step at the beginning of the differential extraction procedure improved the average male-to-female DNA ratio in the sperm fraction by 3- to 6-fold. In another modification, a "tube transfer" step was added to move the re-suspended sperm pellet to a new tube for the second mild lysis and subsequent wash steps. With this modification, the average male-to-female DNA ratio in the sperm fraction was improved by 4- to 90-fold, relative to results obtained for the non-modified differential extraction method. These modifications may be accomplished using tools and reagents that are already present in most forensic DNA laboratories, so that implementation should be relatively low-cost and practical.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark D Timken
- State of California, Department of Justice, Jan Bashinski DNA Laboratory, 1001 W. Cutting Blvd., Richmond, CA 94804, USA
| | - Sonja B Klein
- State of California, Department of Justice, Jan Bashinski DNA Laboratory, 1001 W. Cutting Blvd., Richmond, CA 94804, USA.
| | - Martin R Buoncristiani
- State of California, Department of Justice, Jan Bashinski DNA Laboratory, 1001 W. Cutting Blvd., Richmond, CA 94804, USA
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14
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Koukouvinos G, Metheniti A, Karachaliou CE, Goustouridis D, Livaniou E, Misiakos K, Raptis I, Kondili A, Miniati P, Petrou P, Kakabakos S. White light reflectance spectroscopy biosensing system for fast quantitative prostate specific antigen determination in forensic samples. Talanta 2017; 175:443-450. [DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2017.07.074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2017] [Revised: 07/20/2017] [Accepted: 07/23/2017] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
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15
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Evaluating the efficacy of DNA differential extraction methods for sexual assault evidence. Forensic Sci Int Genet 2017; 29:109-117. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fsigen.2017.03.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2016] [Revised: 03/15/2017] [Accepted: 03/29/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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16
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Camarena LR, Glasscock BK, Daniels D, Ackley N, Sciarretta M, Seashols-Williams SJ. An Optimized Centrifugal Method for Separation of Semen from Superabsorbent Polymers for Forensic Analysis. J Forensic Sci 2016; 62:411-416. [PMID: 27907243 DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.13294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2016] [Revised: 06/14/2016] [Accepted: 07/02/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Connection of a perpetrator to a sexual assault is best performed through the confirmed presence of semen, thereby proving sexual contact. Evidentiary items can include sanitary napkins or diapers containing superabsorbent polymers (SAPs), complicating spermatozoa visualization and DNA analysis. In this report, we evaluated the impact of SAPS on the current forensic DNA workflow, developing an efficient centrifugal protocol for separating spermatozoa from SAP material. The optimized filtration method was compared to common practices of excising the top layer only, resulting in significantly higher sperm yields when a core sample of the substrate was taken. Direct isolation of the SAP-containing materials without filtering resulted in 20% sample failure; additionally, SAP material was observed in the final eluted DNA samples, causing physical interference. Thus, use of the described centrifugal-filtering method is a simple preliminary step that improves spermatozoa visualization and enables more consistent DNA yields, while also avoiding SAP interference.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucy R Camarena
- Department of Forensic Science, Virginia Commonwealth University, 1015 Floyd Avenue, Richmond, VA, 23284
| | - Bailey K Glasscock
- Department of Forensic Science, Virginia Commonwealth University, 1015 Floyd Avenue, Richmond, VA, 23284
| | - Demi Daniels
- Department of Forensic Science, Virginia Commonwealth University, 1015 Floyd Avenue, Richmond, VA, 23284
| | - Nicolle Ackley
- Department of Forensic Science, Virginia Commonwealth University, 1015 Floyd Avenue, Richmond, VA, 23284
| | | | - Sarah J Seashols-Williams
- Department of Forensic Science, Virginia Commonwealth University, 1015 Floyd Avenue, Richmond, VA, 23284
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17
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Abstract
Animal sexual abuse (ASA) involves harm inflicted on animals for the purposes of human sexual gratification and includes such terms as bestiality, zoophilia, zoosadism, animal sexual assault, and others. The prevalence of ASA is not known, although it may be more common than is currently perceived. Veterinarians have the skills required to identify and document cases of ASA. This article reviews the terminology, legal definitions and forms of ASA, and its social and psychological context. An investigative approach is outlined, including an alternate light source examination; collection of swabs for DNA analysis; sampling vaginal washes, rectal washes, and toenails for trace evidence and biologic analyses; radiographic studies; and a complete forensic necropsy, including histopathology. Gross lesions identified in ASA victims include injuries to the anus, rectum, penis, scrotum, nipples, and vagina; the presence of foreign bodies; and abrasions, bruising, and other evidence of nonaccidental injury. Specialized procedures, including examination using alternate light sources and screening tests to identify human seminal fluid within samples from ASA victims, are of potential value but have not been validated for use in animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- A. W. Stern
- Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - M. Smith-Blackmore
- Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University, North Grafton, MA, USA
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18
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Stern AW, Lanka S. Evaluation of Human Semenogelin Membrane Strip Test for Species Cross-reactivity in Dogs. Vet Pathol 2015; 53:1095-8. [PMID: 26574559 DOI: 10.1177/0300985815614976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Semenogelins are proteins originating in the seminal vesicle and are useful markers for the presumptive identification of human semen. Detection of semenogelin can be done with a commercially available membrane test. In this study, a commercially available membrane test for human semenogelin proteins was used to assess for cross-reactivity in dog bodily fluids to allow for the potential utilization for detection of human semen in dog bodily fluids. The authors analyzed canine semen and other bodily fluids, including urine, saliva, vaginal secretions, fecal material, and blood. They also examined the distribution of human semenogelin I transcripts in the canine testis, prostate, and several bodily fluids by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. No cross-reactivity was observed in the canine bodily fluids tested except for a single rectal swab, which was negative on a second test. Further testing should be done to validate the use of this kit for screening samples from dogs suspected to have been victims of sexual abuse.
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Affiliation(s)
- A W Stern
- Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - S Lanka
- Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, USA
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