Primate genetics: Blood typing PCR test for macaques

Cynomolgus and rhesus macaques are the nonhuman primates most commonly used in biomedical research. For some research, such as transfusion and transplantation studies, it is important to know whether the blood types of donor and recipient animals are compatible.

Both cynomolgus and rhesus macaques can possess A, B or AB blood types. While it is generally thought that the O allele seen in humans does not exist in macaques, one study by Malaivijitnond et al. (2008) did report some presence of the O allele in both rhesus and cynomolgus macaque populations. However, the sample size in that study was very small and the samples were collected solely in Thailand, so the result may not be representative of other populations. The O allele has not been reported by other groups for these species.

In nonhuman primates, including rhesus and cynomolgus macaques, the A and B antigens are not present on the surfaces of red blood cells as they are in humans, but rather are found in secretions such as saliva. This lack of antigen on the surface of red blood cells prevents conventional forward typing from blood samples in these macaques, although typing can be performed using saliva samples. Reverse typing of serum or plasma may also be performed. However, both methods demand a substantial amount of fresh blood and saliva.

Blood typing by PCR, on the other hand, requires only a small amount of DNA from the animal, and the DNA can be isolated from various sample types, including blood.

Utilities:

Determine blood type in cynomolgus (Macaca fascicularis) and rhesus (Macaca mulatta) macaques

References:
Malaivijitnond, S., Sae-Low, W. and Hamada, Y. (2008) The human-ABO blood groups of free-ranging long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis) and parapatric rhesus macaques (M. mulatta) in Thailand. J. Med. Primatol. 37:31-37.

Specimen requirements: 0.2 ml whole blood in EDTA (purple top) tube. Ship blood samples on the same day collected, on cold paks but not frozen, in an insulated container, via standard overnight service, for weekday delivery to Zoologix. Collect blood samples using a larger-gauge needle, and put the samples immediately in EDTA to avoid hemolysis.

Contact Zoologix if advice is needed to determine an appropriate specimen type for a specific diagnostic application. For specimen types not listed here, please contact Zoologix to confirm specimen acceptability and shipping instructions.

For all specimen types, if there will be a delay in shipping, or during very warm weather, refrigerate specimens until shipped and ship with a cold pack unless more stringent shipping requirements are specified. Frozen specimens should be shipped so as to remain frozen in transit. See shipping instructions for more information.

Turnaround time: 5 business days

Methodology: Real time PCR + Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP)

Normal range: A, B or AB blood type