Conditions for rapid sex determination in 47 avian species by PCR of genomic DNA from blood, shell-membrane blood vessels, and feathers

The ability to rapidly and reliably determine the sex of birds is very important for successful captive-bird breeding programs, as well as for field research. Visual inspection of adult birds is sufficient for sexually dimorphic species, but nestlings and monomorphic species are difficult, if not impossible, to sex by sight only. A method for rapid extraction of gDNA from blood, shell-membrane blood vessels, and fully grown feathers, using Chelex, and the PCR conditions for determination of sex-specific bands in 47 species (39 genera, 21 families, and 10 orders) are described. The PCR primers used amplify a length of DNA spanning an intron in the CHD-1 gene, which is present on both the W and Z chromosomes. The intron differs in size between the two sex chromosomes, resulting in PCR products that separate into two bands for females and a single band for males in most avian species (except ratites). Because this simple technique uses Chelex, a rapid gDNA isolation protocol, and sets of PCR primers independent of restriction enzyme digestion, birds can be accurately sexed within 5 hr of sample collection. Zoo Biol 22:561-571, 2003. (C) 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.