Sex Determination Analysis, Essay Example

Determination of sex through the use of PCR involves the establishment of the presence of the SRY gene in the individual’s DNA. PCR uses the quantification strategy in gene quantification. Essentially, there are two approaches that are normally used in performing real-time PCR; they include the use of absolute or the relative quantitative RT-PCR. The use of absolute quantification mainly involves analysis, analysis of the PCR signal through the calibration curve (Vermis et al., 2012). The relative quantification, on the other hand, involves the measurement of the relative change in the mRNA expression levels. The reliability of the absolute RT-PCR is mainly pegged on the condition of the identical amplification efficiencies in both the calibration curve and the native target. Relative quantification is often considered easy to perform since the calibration curve is not required (Pantchev et al., 2009)

In the case presented, PCR seems to be the most viable alternative towards the determination of the athletes’ sex (Pan et al., 2013). The method is quick and presents real-time results without bias on the individuals. Considering the results of the analysis and test, the person has fully developed female genitalia, the karyotype results exhibit a pattern of 46, XX, and the PCR results does not reveal the presence of the SRY gene in the DNA. Considering the results of the analysis, the athlete is female. The Karyotype results, as well as the PCR results, point out to the fact that the gold medalist is female and should, therefore, be reinstated. The individual would still be subjected to other tests to uphold the results found.

References

Vermis, K., Coenye, T., Mahenthiralingam, E., Nelis, H. J., & Vandamme, P. (2012). Evaluation of species-specific recA-based PCR tests for genomovar level identification within the Burkholderia cepacia complex. Journal of medical microbiology, 51(11), 937-940.

Pantchev, A., Sting, R., Bauerfeind, R., Tyczka, J., & Sachse, K. (2009). New real-time PCR tests for species-specific detection of Chlamydophila psittaci and Chlamydophila abortus from tissue samples. The Veterinary Journal, 181(2), 145-150.

Pan, M., Li, F. T., Li, Y., Jiang, F. M., Li, D. Z., Lau, T. K., & Liao, C. (2013). Discordant results between fetal karyotyping and non?invasive prenatal testing by maternal plasma sequencing in a case of uniparental disomy 21 due to trisomic rescue. Prenatal diagnosis, 33(6), 598-601.