A reliable, non-invasive PCR method for giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) sex identification

We developed an inexpensive, fast and reliable PCR method for sex identification of giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) by using one pair of primers to co-amplify homologous fragments with size polymorphism that located at amelogenin (AMEL) exon 5. In giant panda, a 63 bp deletion in exon 5 of Y-linked allele provides a significant discrimination between AMELX and AMELY, thus the amplification products can be distinguished simply by agarose gel electrophoresis, exhibiting sex-specific banding patterns (male: 237 bp, 174 bp; female: 237 bp). Both blood and feces samples from known-sex giant pandas were successfully amplified. Cross species test also revealed that this method could be applied to other Ursidae species.