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Sample Handling Sheet

Here's the info for collecting samples (please take along to the vet so there's no mistakes).

SAMPLE HANDLING FOR DNA RESEARCH AT THE U OF MISSOURI

Blood Sample - Dr. Johnson needs 5-10cc's (or more) of whole blood, in purple-topped (EDTA) tubes. The blood sample needs only to be put in the tubes and rocked gently a few times to distribute the anticoagulant - do not spin, extract serum, or anything further. Refrigerate if the sample is being held for any time before shipping.

Tissue Sample - Upon death of the dog, donating an organ will provide an endless supply of DNA for the research. Please discuss this with your vet ahead of time if you intend to do this. (If the dog is to be euthanized, have a blood sample pulled first, if possible, and send both samples.) First choice is spleen, second choice kidney, and third choice is liver (only a portion is needed, not the entire liver). One tissue sample is sufficient. Have the organ removed as soon as possible following death, place into a labeled freezer bag, put that into a second bag, freeze, and ship.

Label sample with the following:
Mastiff DNA Research
registered name - call name
(If samples from several dogs are sent together, number samples and forms)

An Individual Dog Sample Submission Form should be completed, and a pedigree copy must be included with the sample to tie it in with the correct family. Mark (with a highlight marker) where this dog fits in the pedigree, and in the space at the bottom write in the dog's registered name, call name, AKC # (if not on pedigree), relationship, and affected/not affected.

Shipping - Ideally the sample should be shipped immediately (with a tissue sample make certain it is completely frozen first). If samples are held for a day or over a weekend, blood must be refrigerated and gently rocked to redistribute everything once a day, and tissue samples must be kept frozen. Ship via overnight delivery (US Mail, UPS, or FedEx). Do not send on a Friday - there may not be anyone to accept the delivery on a Saturday, and the sample could be unusable by Monday. Pack in a small insulated container (most vets have these for shipping samples to labs), with one or more cool packs - it is important that blood samples be kept cool but not frozen, and tissue samples be kept as frozen as possible. If both types of samples are being sent together, place the cool packs around the tissue sample, and wrap the blood sample in newspaper or other packing material to insulate it somewhat from the cool packs, keeping it cold but not frozen.

The delivery address is:
Dr. Gary Johnson
Mastiff DNA Research
209 A Connaway Hall
University of Missouri
Columbia, MO 65211


Thank you for your cooperation and participation!