Molecular study for the sex identification in Japanese quails (Coturnix Japonica)

In many birds' species such as Japanese quail, sex determination in young and many adult birds is very difficult. Nowadays, sex identification of animals throughout their lives is possible by molecular genetic techniques such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The aim of this study was to determine the sex of Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) by DNA analysis. Chromo helicase DNA (CHD) genes are preserved within avian Z and W sex chromosomes. The intron regions of the CHDW and CHDZ genes vary between male (ZZ) and female (ZW) individuals. The method used in this study was based on this difference. Genomic DNA was extracted from feathers instead of blood. The intron regions of CHDW and CHDZ genes were amplified by sex specific primers (Coja-F and Coja-R). PCR products were screened by agarose gel electrophoresis. These results show single (ZW) amplified fragments, about 320 bp for female, and no amplified PCR product for male (ZZ) Japanese quails. These results of this study show that CHD gene amplification is a convenient, inexpensive, safe, and simple technique for sex typing of Japanese quails and other avian species in the wild.