HAIR SAMPLES

DNA material is contained in the root bulbs (follicles) of the hairs.  Correct hair collection and avoidance of contamination are critically important.  Carefully follow these steps when collecting and sending hair samples.

1.  Use a separate envelope (or sealable plastic bag) for the sample from each animal to be tested.  BEFORE collecting the samples, label each bag with the complete name of the animal, its tattoo or identification number, and your name.

2.  Thoroughly wash your hands and the scissors, pliers, etc., that you will be using.  Have a roll of paper towels ready near your sample bags.

3.  Use clean (no manure) coarse hairs from the switch of the tail for your sample.  Pull hairs from the switch using a sharp, jerking motion (use sterilized pliers or a hemostat) and make sure that the roots are attached to most of them.  It is best to pull about 10-15 hairs at a time, so you will need several pulls to obtain the 30-50 hairs required for a sample.  Collect them on a fresh paper towel, aligning the root ends as you lay them down.

4. Using scotch tape, tape the hairs into a bundle - about 4 inches from the root ends.  Then using your clean scissors, trim the excess ends off and dispose of them - being sure to keep the root ends. 

5.  Place the bundle of root ends/hairs into your envelope, gently press out most of the air, and seal the bag.

6.  Thoroughly wash and dry your hands (or use antibacterial handwash) and the scissors + pliers + hemostat (possibly using rubbing alcohol on the instruments) between taking samples from different animals.  also use a fresh paper towel for each sample.  This is important so that you don't contaminate each sample with DNA from the previous sample.

7.  Mail the sample bags with your completed application, STAMPED SELF ADDRESSED ENVELOPE, and check to Pam Malcuit, 17087 Dixie Farms Lane, Iola, TX 77861.