Sexing chick embryos: a rapid and simple protocol

Author: Clinton M.   Haines L.   Belloir B.   McBride D.  

Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

ISSN: 1466-1799

Source: British Poultry Science, Vol.42, Iss.1, 2001-03, pp. : 134-138

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Abstract

1. Analysis of gene expression in the developing chick gonads requires the collection of male and female tissues from embryos between 3·5 d and 8·5 d of development. However, male and female chick embryos are indistinguishable by morphological examination before d 7·5 of development. 2. Sex identification of earlier embryos is only possible by molecular methods, which at present are laborious and time consuming. 3. We have devised a PCR-based sexing protocol which combines both sex specific and control reactions in a single tube assay. The assay is rapid and effective over a wide range of DNA concentrations and is tolerant of poor quality DNA. 4. Procedures are described for identifying the sex of individual embryos using either tissue samples or a small number of cells recovered from amniotic fluid.

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