DNA sexing is a method used to determine the sex of birds by analyzing their DNA. In bird’s females have a ZW chromosome pair, while males have a ZZ chromosome pair. For most birds, the amplified gene regions from each chromosome will be of different length, resulting in a single length amplicon (amplified strand of DNA) for male birds (with ZZ chromosomes) and two amplicons of different length for female birds (ZW chromosomes).
Female: One copy of the CHD1-Z gene is present on the Z chromosome, and one copy of the CHD1-W gene is present on the W chromosome. The target amplified regions of these genes are generally different in length and will be visible on an electrophoresis gel as two distinct bands.
Male: Two copies of the CHD1-Z gene are present – one on each of the Z chromosomes. The amplified regions of these genes are almost always identical in length and will be visible on an electrophoresis gel as a single band.
To perform DNA sexing, a small blood or feather sample is collected from the bird, and the DNA is extracted. Specific genetic markers on the sex chromosomes are then analyzed to determine. Whether the bird has a ZW or ZZ chromosome pair. Our method is highly accurate and can be used to sex birds at any age, from hatchlings to adults.