The dilution effect and the importance of selecting the right internal control genes for RT-qPCR: a paradigmatic approach in fetal sheep

BackgroundThe key to understanding changes in gene expression levels using reverse transcription real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) relies on the ability to rationalize the technique using internal control genes (ICGs). However, the use of ICGs has become increasingly problematic given that any genes, including housekeeping genes, thought to be stable across different tissue types, ages and treatment protocols, can be …