Petra Zenke

15128139300

Publications - 11

Mitochondrial Control Region Database of Hungarian Fallow Deer (Dama dama) Populations for Forensic Use

Petra Zenke Pál Lehotzky Orsolya Krisztina Zorkóczy Zsombor Wagenhoffer Zsolt Pádár

Publication Name: Animals

Publication Date: 2024-07-01

Volume: 14

Issue: 13

Page Range: Unknown

Description:

The evidential value of an mtDNA match between biological remains and their potential donor is determined by the random match probability of the haplotype. This probability is based on the haplotype’s population frequency estimate. Consequently, implementing a population study representative of the population relevant to a forensic case is vital to correctly evaluating the evidence. The emerging number of poaching cases and the limited availability of such data emphasizes the need for an improved fallow deer mtDNA population databank for forensic purposes, including targeting the entire mitochondrial control region. By sequencing a 945-base-pair-long segment of the mitochondrial control region in 138 animals from five populations in Hungary, we found four different haplotypes, including one which had not yet been described. Our results, supplemented with data already available from previous research, do not support the possibility of determining the population of origin, although some patterns of geographical separation can be distinguished. Estimates of molecular diversity indicate similarly low mtDNA diversity (Hd = 0.565 and π = 0.002) compared to data from other countries. The calculated random match probability of 0.547 shows a high probability of coincidence and, therefore, a limited capacity for exclusion. Our results indicate that despite the overall low genetic diversity of mtDNA within the Hungarian fallow deer samples, a pattern of differentiation among the regions is present, which can have relevance from a forensic point of view.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.3390/ani14131911

A Selection of 14 Tetrameric Microsatellite Markers for Genetic Investigations in Fallow Deer (Dama dama)

László Ózsvári Petra Zenke Pál Lehotzky Orsolya Krisztina Zorkóczy Zsombor Wagenhoffer Orsolya Turi Zsolt Pádár

Publication Name: Animals

Publication Date: 2023-07-01

Volume: 13

Issue: 13

Page Range: Unknown

Description:

The fallow deer (Dama dama) represents significant game management value globally, and human activities are significantly impacting the species. Besides the positive effects, these activities can threaten its existence, health, and value. The aim of the authors was to develop a tetranucleotide microsatellite panel that could be clearly interpreted and used for genetic testing of fallow deer. Such a panel did not exist until now and could be particularly useful in the field of conservation genetics and forensics. A total of 99 tetrameric microsatellites, originally designed for related deer species, were tested on 20 fallow deer individuals from five Hungarian sampling areas. Original and newly designed primers were used to amplify the microsatellite regions using previously published or optimized PCR protocols. The lengths and sequences of specific amplicons were detected using capillary electrophoresis, and the rate of polymorphism was determined. Altogether, 80 markers provided PCR products of adequate quality and quantity. Among them, 15 markers proved to be polymorphic (2–5 alleles/locus), and 14 tetrameric markers were selected for further analysis. Statistical calculations showed that the selected polymorphic microsatellites can potentially enable key individualization in many areas of wildlife and population genetics, thus protecting the species.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.3390/ani13132083

Contamination of forensic DNA evidence in the light of Hungarian court decisions – A review of 25 years

Petra Zenke Mónika Nogel Gábor Kovács Zsolt Pádár Katalin Erdélyi

Publication Name: Forensic Science International Genetics Supplement Series

Publication Date: 2022-12-01

Volume: 8

Issue: Unknown

Page Range: 242-244

Description:

The evaluation of forensic DNA expert opinions (in some countries expert witness testimonies) and the way it affects criminal judgement is of paramount importance. We have selected one of the largest challenges when it comes to the evaluation of forensic DNA evidence, contamination of DNA samples, and examined how it influences the decisions judges make about the credibility of DNA evidence in Hungary.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.1016/j.fsigss.2022.10.049

The catalyst-like role of forensic genetics in the developmental process of Hungarian wildlife forensics

Petra Zenke Viktor Soma Poór Mónika Nogel Gábor Kovács Zsolt Pádár

Publication Name: Forensic Science International Genetics Supplement Series

Publication Date: 2022-12-01

Volume: 8

Issue: Unknown

Page Range: 263-264

Description:

The anthropocentric nature of forensic sciences has been changing continuously over the years and this process is continuing today. Due to its universality and multilateral implementation, and the fragmented nature of forensic epistemology, the information provided by forensic genetics can play a pivotal role in forensic science. At the same time, the link between forensic genetics and non-human forensic biological evidence has become unquestionable. It may highlight the modern requirements of forensic science, and this connection is also able to provide useful and sufficient examples for developmental processes in wildlife forensics. Obviously, the local formations, organizations, and operations of wildlife forensics can be different worldwide, but the detection and punishment of wildlife-related criminal behavior, as well as the prevention of further crimes, play a relevant role in these processes everywhere.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.1016/j.fsigss.2022.10.056

Characterisation of Hungarian Cikta sheep based on the control region of mtDNA

Petra Zenke Ákos Maróti-Agóts Károly Tempfli Annus Kata Sáfár László Kovács Endre Harmat Levente András Gáspárdy

Publication Name: Magyar Allatorvosok Lapja

Publication Date: 2020-07-01

Volume: 142

Issue: 7

Page Range: 421-428

Description:

Background: The consideration of the high genetic diversity is indispensable on the course of preservation of endangered animal breeds. Objectives: The authors evaluate the genetic background in the Hungarian native Cikta breed by use of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region (CR) sequence firstly. Their investigation was carried out in order to serve data for the maintenance of maternal lineages. Materials and Methods: The DNA samples were taken from the descendants of the eldest families by use of founder sampling method based on pedigree (n = 69) in 2015. The primers described by Hiendleder et al. (7) were used to amplify the region of interest (AF010406). Results and Discussion: The control region of mtDNA showed polymorphisms at 32 sites. However, the herds shared 24 polymorphic sites, so the maternal background of the Cikta appears to be genetically uniform. The total number of haplotypes were 13, furthermore, most of the samples belonged to the haplog-roup B of sheep. This fact proves the decisively European maternal origin of the Hungarian Cikta. The average number of pairwise differences (k) and the average nucleotide diversity (ro) were 6.863 and 5.95 × 10-3, respectively. The values of the Cikta population were not significant (p < 0.10) neither by the Tajima D-test (0.107) and by Fu's Fs statistics (2.533), meaning that the greatly reduced population size of the breed known from the breed history did not cause genetic drift, it is in genetic equilibrium regarding its ancient families. The genetic information confirmed the origin of the families/flocks known from the breed history. A more intense focusing on the maternal side is motivated also by the fact that the females are present at greater number than the males, respectively they remain in breeding for a longer period of time, so they can at larger extent be the depositaries of realization and maintenance of genetic diversity.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: DOI not available

Sex determination using circulating cell-free fetal DNA in small volume of maternal plasma in elephants

Petra Zenke Boglárka Vincze Sándor Cseh Endre Ákos Papp Gábor Kovács Alexandra Biácsi László Garamvölgyi Zsolt Pádár András Gáspárdy Endre Sós

Publication Name: Scientific Reports

Publication Date: 2019-12-01

Volume: 9

Issue: 1

Page Range: Unknown

Description:

The genetic sexing of animals having long gestation periods offers significant benefits in regard to breeding management among their populations living in captivity. In our study, a new increased-sensitivity PCR method for fetal sexing was developed and tested successfully on elephants, from only a small volume of maternal plasma. Suitable sensitivity was obtained by using short, reduced amplicon lengths with fluorescent labelling for capillary electrophoresis detection. The fundamental principle for this technique was based on the detection of two Y-specific markers (AmelY and SRY), the presence of which indicates the mother is carrying a male fetus and the absence of these markers designates a female fetus. As a reaction control, the X-chromosomal marker (PlpX) was used. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on this topic, confirming the presence of fetal cell-free DNA from the plasma of a pregnant captive elephant, and demonstrating a new opportunity for non-invasive assessment in fetal sex determination.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-51641-8

Implementation of genetic based individualization of White stork (Ciconia ciconia) in forensic casework

Petra Zenke Gábor Kovács Zsolt Pádár Balázs Egyed

Publication Name: Forensic Science International Genetics

Publication Date: 2019-05-01

Volume: 40

Issue: Unknown

Page Range: e245-e247

Description:

No description provided

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.1016/j.fsigen.2019.02.001

Str diversity of a historical sheep breed bottlenecked, the cikta

Petra Zenke Ákos Maróti-Agóts László Sáfár Károly Tempfli Endre Kovács A. Shannon András Gáspárdy Ágnes Bali Papp

Publication Name: Journal of Animal and Plant Sciences

Publication Date: 2019-02-01

Volume: 29

Issue: 1

Page Range: 41-47

Description:

The population structure of the endangered Cikta sheep breed was evaluated by means of nine microsatellite polymorphisms. Seventy-two individuals from three flocks were sampled to determine genetic indices in the Hungarian population. Overall, average observed and effective allele numbers were 5.63 and 3.76, respectively. Discriminant analysis based on genotype frequencies revealed moderate genetic diversity among Cikta flocks, since only three loci (OarCP49, CSSM47 and OarHH41) contributed significantly (P<0.05) to differences between subpopulations. Low squared Mahalanobis distances from group centroids also confirmed that the breed is almost equally represented by the three flocks. Moderate level of diversity between flocks was attributed to the long-term effects of a population bottleneck dating back to the 1970s. Negative average FIS value (-0.18) indicated heterozygote excess. Chi-squared tests identified significant (P<0.05) deviation from HWE in the case of BM8125, CSSM47, and MAF214 markers. Continuous microsatellite information is required for the preservation of rare alleles and diversity in Cikta sheep.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: DOI not available

The response of prion genic variation to selection for scrapie resistance in Hungarian indigenous sheep breeds

Petra Zenke Ákos Maróti-Agóts László Sáfár Endre Kovács Viktoria Holly András Gáspárdy Ágnes Bali Papp

Publication Name: Acta Veterinaria Hungarica

Publication Date: 2018-01-01

Volume: 66

Issue: 4

Page Range: 562-572

Description:

The authors studied the present status of Hungarian indigenous sheep breeds based on the genetic background of scrapie resistance. The aim of this investigation was to estimate the relative frequency of prion haplotypes, genotypes and risk categories, as well as to reveal the efficiency of the scrapie eradication programme achieved over the last decade. A novel approach in the characterisation of prion by using its genic variation was also implemented. The authors established that the proportion of deleterious sites (%) can be a useful indicator of the eradication programme. Based on a large sample size, it was confirmed that the scrapie resistance of the Cikta breed is low, and the classification of this breed according to risk category has not improved. However, the frequent genotype ARQ and risk category 3 can also be considered characteristic of the breed. The careful use of these genotypes is permitted and will contribute to the maintenance of breed diversity. The response of prion genic variation to selection for scrapie resistance in the other breeds (Tsigai, Milking Tsigai, White Racka, Black Racka and Gyimes Racka) was definitely successful.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.1556/004.2018.050

A specific selection programme is required in the autochthonous Cikta Sheep which is endangered by own frequent ARQ prion haplotype?

Petra Zenke Ákos Maróti-Agóts László Sáfár Károly Tempfli Endre Kovács Susanne Mitro András Gáspárdy Ágnes Bali Papp

Publication Name: Landbauforschung

Publication Date: 2017-01-01

Volume: 67

Issue: 3-4

Page Range: 141-146

Description:

The authors study the current status of Hungarian Cikta Sheep based on genetic background of scrapie resistance. The aim of this investigation was to estimate the relative frequency of prion haplotypes, -genotypes, and risk categories as well as to reveal the efficiency of scrapie eradication program achieved over the last decade. The authors confirmed based on larger sample size the previous knowledge, that the resistance against scrapie of Cikta breed is considered as low, and the classification of this breed according to risk category has not been improved. However, the frequent genotype ARQ and risk category 3 can also be considered for breed specificity. The careful use of these genotypes is permitted and will contribute to the maintenance of breed diversity according to other aspects.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.3220/LBF1513065159000

Increasing relevance of non-human genetics in Hungarian forensic practice

Petra Zenke Gábor Kovács Zsolt Pádár Balázs Egyed

Publication Name: Forensic Science International Genetics Supplement Series

Publication Date: 2015-12-01

Volume: 5

Issue: Unknown

Page Range: e250-e252

Description:

In step with the evolution of molecular genetics, the application of non-human biological traces is an intensively researched field in forensic sciences [1]. Recently it has been widely acknowledged that this extended possibility – with associated abilities and pitfalls – for forensic DNA examination can provide innovative results in criminal and civil casework as well as in connection with associative evidence. Depending on the specific species or types of traces, the final results can have very different criminalistics value (e.g., plants, dogs or microbiome of soil traces), but it is unquestionable that non-human DNA has an increasing role in forensic biological evidence [2–4]. However, in contrast to the investigation of human DNA-traces, there currently exist no restrictions concerning DNA loci and privacy of genetic information, and a wide spectrum of genetic information and technologies may be applied. The field is developing with animal rights, international (e.g. CITES) conventions, national regulations and professional recommendations [5–7]. The Hungarian forensic practice on animal DNA examination has been developing since 2000 [8]. The range of cases is sufficiently broad, and includes fatal accidents and animal attacks (case #1) as well as illegal trade cases (case #2). In case of degraded animal hair samples we used two sets of Canine STR markers with shortened amplicons, and species specific primers (Ursus sp.) for mitochondrial DNA analysis of mixed samples (case #2), respectively. The results supported the evaluation of individualization (case #1), confirming the species identification (case #2).

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.1016/j.fsigss.2015.09.100