Transferrin (TF) Typing From Semen Stains Using Isoelectric Focusing and Immunoblotting: Correlation of TF Types Among Blood, Semen, Urine, and Vaginal Secretion

• NCJ Number: 139761
• Journal: Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 37 Issue: 6 Dated: (November 1992) Pages: 1514-1524
• Author(s): K Sawazaki; T Yasuda; D Nadano; I Reiko; K Kishi
• Date Published: 1992
• Length: 11 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Technical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This article describes a method for obtaining nondistorted and reproducible transferrin (TF) typing from liquid semen and semen stains.

Abstract

Isoelectric focusing of TF isoproteins on polyacrylamide gel (IEF-PAGE, pH 4 to 6.5) was accomplished with the use of a 0.5-mm-thick gel. The separated isoproteins were then visualized by immunoblotting with TF- specific antibody. Pretreatment of semen samples with neuraminidase enhanced the TF band resolution. The method was reliable, sensitive, and simple, with a high resolution. When maintained at room temperature, laboratory-prepared semen stains were TF-typable for up to at least 50 weeks. The TF types in semen stains were correlated with the types found in the corresponding blood and urine samples. TF typing could therefore provide an additional discriminant characteristic in the forensic examination of semen stains. An evaluation of TF typing by IEF-PAGE and immunoblotting was also performed on casework samples submitted to the authors' laboratory. 5 tables, 2 figures, and 22 references