Sample Collection of Faeces For DNA Analysis

Preparation of Faecal Samples for DNA Analysis:
DNA is a relatively stable molecule but will degrade over time unless preserved properly. Faecal sampling kits are available upon request through the NRDPFC (NRDPFC-004). Sampling kits are comprised of a 50 mL tube filled with 30 mL of ethanol.

In order to avoid cross-contamination, it is important to wear clean gloves and use clean equipment
on every sample. Furthermore, more than one sample should never be placed within the same tube.

Choosing a sample:
Faecal samples provide a non-invasive method of collecting DNA from animals. Faecal samples
must be collected as fresh as possible within 24 hours of defecation otherwise the DNA will be
severely degraded.

Sampling Instructions:

Ethanol Storage:

It is important to use clean equipment and clean gloves when preparing the samples. Faecal samples once in ethanol can be kept and shipped at room temperature. DNA is isolated from the sloughed intestinal cells that line the faeces, therefore it is important that the general shape of the faeces is
kept intact. Label each tube clearly using a permanent marker. Add enough faecal material to
raise the ethanol level to the 40 mL mark. Seal the tubes tightly and ship the samples.

Frozen Storage:

If faecal sampling kits are not available, faeces may also be shipped frozen. Faecal pellets can be placed into small freezer bags, labelled with proper information pertaining to the individual animal. It is crucial that the pellets be kept frozen during shipping.

[Figure 1] Faecal sampling kit. is a tube without faecal material.

[Figure 2] Tube with faecal material collected. Faecal pellets can be seen at the bottom of the tube.

Natural Resources DNA Profiling and Forensic Centre DNA Building, Trent University, 2140 East Bank Drive, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada, K9J 7B8 Phone: (705) 748-1011 ext. 7126| Fax (705) 748-1132 Email: info@nrdpfc.ca