São Camilo Group – Biotechnology Division

How is the exam performed?

Bird Sex Determination

A marker used for sex determination in birds was developed in conserved regions of the gene CHD (chromo-helicase-DNA-binding), present in the sex chromosome of all birds. This way, our test can be performed in most bird orders, except for the Struthioniformes Order (ostrich, rhea, cassowary, emu and kiwi), where the gene CHD evolved in a different way from other orders, which makes an specific marker necessary for sex determination in these birds. The most requested species for sex determination are the ones from the Order of Passeriformes and its sub-Order Oscines (Greater large billed –seed-finch, buff throated soltator, canary, etc.) and from the Order of Psittaciformes (parrots, cockatiel, macaw, etc.), but we already perform sex determination for birds of the Order of Ciconiiformes (egret and stork), Galliformes (rooster, partridge, pheasant) and Picifomres (woodpecker and toucan). Regarding the Struthioniformes order, markings are done in two specific regions of the female bird and an inner marker is used for reaction control and male genre determination. 

This way, our marker is able to precisely determine sex in the following orders: