Fate of feed plant DNA monitored in water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) and rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus)

The effect of the digestion process in the gastro-intestinal tract (GIT) of animal models on the fate and integrity of plant DNA has been widely evaluated since DNA availability and integrity is a key factor for hypothetical horizontal gene transfer of recombinant DNA from GM crop-derived feeds to animal and human gut microflora. In this study, plant DNA sequences from high and low copy number genes were monitored in GIT and tissues of buffaloes and rabbits. Using a real-time PCR approach to track plant DNA in animal samples, we demonstrated the persistence of fragmented plant DNA blood and tissues of buffaloes and rabbits raised with conventional feeding.