Rapid sexing of selected Galliformes by polymerase chain reaction

Abstract

Vent sexing of one-day-old chicks in commercial hatcheries has long been common practice and can be highly accurate. However, there are circumstances when this technique is not applicable such as smaller breeds, non-domestic birds, or where is the necessity of precise sexing. In this study we present a simple and reliable method for fast gender determination in selected Galliformes for which phenotypic determination of sex is difficult until maturity. Four species were tested: two commercial species – chicken (Gallus gallus) and turkey (Meleagris gallopavo), and two game birds – common pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) and wood grouse (Tetraro urogallus). DNA was tested with universal single-pair primers polymerase chain reaction (PCR) detecting W chromosome specific sequence yielding a single band of length specific for each species. The method was developed with regards to time consumption and cost-effectiveness giving results in less than two hours. The method may also be used for early sexing in commercial chicken and turkey flocks as well as sexing of smaller game birds flocks or for research laboratories when rapid sexing of selected Galliformes cells is required.