|
|
DNA based sexing in finches helps
me to avoid mistakes in male/female determination, so I can make
correct pairs for breeding and save time refusing inappropriate
breeding combinations. This method is equally effective for any
bird species, as it is founded on detection of DNA sequences
specific for sex chromosomes. Whereas in birds all males have
two alike Z sex chromosomes in their genome, females carry one Z
and one different W sex-chromosome. Therefore DNA sequences on
the W chromosome can be used as genetic markers to identify sex
in avian species. To detect these markers, it is necessary to
amplify the specific marker sequence to detectable level. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) provides
generating millions of copies of targeted DNA strand. PCR
products have to be separated then by gel electrophoresis to
visualize different in size fragments of amplified marker DNA as
bands. Typically, the gel electrophoresis reveals one band in
the male and two in the female. |
|
|
Here is a result of PCR
amplification sex-linked markers from six birds. As you can see,
I took into analysis here two females (F) – both of them have
two bands, and four males (M), each of them has one band on the
gel. |
