Evaluation of Human Semenogelin Membrane Strip Test for Species Cross-reactivity in Dogs

Abstract

Semenogelins are proteins originating in the seminal vesicle and are useful markers for the presumptive identification of human semen. Detection of semenogelin can be done with a commercially available membrane test. In this study, a commercially available membrane test for human semenogelin proteins was used to assess for cross-reactivity in dog bodily fluids to allow for the potential utilization for detection of human semen in dog bodily fluids. The authors analyzed canine semen and other bodily fluids, including urine, saliva, vaginal secretions, fecal material, and blood. They also examined the distribution of human semenogelin I transcripts in the canine testis, prostate, and several bodily fluids by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. No cross-reactivity was observed in the canine bodily fluids tested except for a single rectal swab, which was negative on a second test. Further testing should be done to validate the use of this kit for screening samples from dogs suspected to have been victims of sexual abuse.

Veterinary Forensic Pathology of Animal Sexual Abuse

“…In such cases, the presence of seminal fluid may be detected by screening tests for acid phosphatase (AP) test, prostate-specific antigen (PSA), or semenogelin (Sg) or by mass spectrometry–based proteomics. 28,31,51,65,67 The confirmatory tests for human seminal fluid are the microscopic identification of spermatozoa, analysis of short tandem repeat loci from the Y chromosome (Y-STRs), and mass spectrometry–based proteomics. 14,42,51,67,72 Some of the tests described in this section are practical and easy to use, but validation studies are lacking for their use in animals for the detection of human seminal fluid.…”

“…Some research has been published on species cross-reactivity of several available tests. 45,55,62,65,67…”

“…28,31,51,65,67 The confirmatory tests for human seminal fluid are the microscopic identification of spermatozoa, analysis of short tandem repeat loci from the Y chromosome (Y-STRs), and mass spectrometrybased proteomics. 14,42,51,67,72 Some of the tests described in this section are practical and easy to use, but validation studies are lacking for their use in animals for the detection of human seminal fluid. Some research has been published on species cross-reactivity of several available tests.…”

Sperm cytology: Kernechtrot–picroindigocarmine stain and dog semen

“…Semen is composed of spermatozoa (cellular component) and seminal plasma (fluid component). There are several screening tests for semen available for use, including acid phosphatase tests, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) tests, semenogelin tests, and mass spectrometry-based proteomics (Hochmeister et al 1999, Khaldi et al 2004, Stern and Lanka 2016, Van Steendam et al 2013. Sperm cytology can be used as a confirmatory test in forensic cases (Martinez et al 2015).…”

“…Although various commercially available tests can be used to evaluate human semen, these tests cannot readily identify the presence of canine semen. Using a commercially available membrane strip test, semenogelin, human semen has been shown to not crossreact with canine semen (Stern and Lanka 2016). Evaluation for PSA has resulted in conflicting results: one study documented canine semen as negative for PSA, another as positive for PSA (Hochmeister et al 1999, Simich et al 1999.…”