title: A novel molecular genetic marker for gender determination of pigeons.
abstract: The absence of conspicuous sexual dimorphism in pigeons often makes it difficult to determine their sex on the basis of external morphology. We identified a novel female-specific DNA marker in pigeons, presenting the possibility of pigeon gender determination using a PCR-based method. One-hundred and twenty random primers were used for RAPD fingerprinting in order to find any sex-specific fragments in pigeons. One of these primers, OPC-20, produced a female-specific band in the DNA fingerprints. This DNA fragment was isolated from the gel and inserted into a vector for nucleotide sequencing. A novel female-specific 732 bp sequence was obtained. A pair of primers (DoveOPC20F & R) was designed, based on the cloned sequence, for amplifying the female-specific band by PCR for pigeon gender determination. Sex-specific bands in the gel were observed in all females but not in males. The PCR products in the gel were then transferred onto nylon membranes and hybridized with a DIG-labeled probe of the cloned female-specific DNA fragment. Clear hybridization signals were found only in all of the female pigeons; the same result was obtained from dot blot hybridization. This demonstrates that the sex of pigeons can be accurately and rapidly identified by PCR.
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Science, National Chiayi University, 300 University Road, Chiayi, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Yan-Ming
authors.initials: YM
authors.lastname: Horng
authors.forename: Chean-Ping
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Yng-Chyu
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Mu-Chiou
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Huang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D010856:Columbidae / Q000235:genetics*; D016172:DNA Fingerprinting / Q000662:veterinary; D005260:Female; D005819:Genetic Markers; D008297:Male; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D019105:Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA Technique; D012732:Sex Determination Analysis / Q000662:veterinary*
chemical_list: D005819:Genetic Markers