[Sex determination from dental calculus by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)]

We studied sex determination from dental calculus by the PCR method using primers which recognize DYZ3 region of Y-chromosome and DXZ1 of X-chromosome. The amounts of DNA obtained from 1.7-25.0 mg of dental calculus samples ranged 0.6-26.4 micrograms, and the majority of DNA was low molecular weight DNA. After PCR amplification, Y and X products were observed by the method of polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Both Y and X amplification products were observed in 26 out of 29 male samples, while, Y products was not detected in two samples and neither Y nor X product was detected in one sample. In 17 out of 20 female samples, only X product was observed, while, Y and X products were observed in three samples. The minimum amount of DNA for sex determination was 3 pg. Sex determination using DNA in dental calculus will be quite useful for forensic application because it can be done without destruction of morphological characteristics of teeth.