A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal

Comparison three primer pairs for molecular sex determination in Eurasian pygmy owls (Glaucidium passerinum)




AuthorsStehlíková Sovadinová, Simona; Mekadim, Chahrazed; Korpimäki, Erkki; Mrázek, Jakub; Kouba, Marek

PublisherSpringer Nature

Publication year2024

JournalScientific Reports

Journal name in sourceScientific Reports

Article number16397

Volume14

Issue1

eISSN2045-2322

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-65157-3

Web address http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-65157-3

Self-archived copy’s web addresshttps://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/457248690


Abstract

Bird sex determination is fundamental in various ecological and biological studies, although many avian species cannot be sexed visually due to their monomorphic and/or monochromatic appearance. Thus, reliable laboratory methods for sexing are a prerequisite. Most avian nestlings lack sex-related signs, including the Eurasian pygmy owl (Glaucidium passerinum). We performed laboratory sex determination analysis of this species using blood samples of 242 juveniles and nine adults. It relied on the qPCR of the specific intron from the chromo-helicase DNA-binding protein 1 gene. We tested three primer sets, the P2/P8, 2550F/2718R, and CHD1F/CHD1R, commonly used for bird laboratory sexing. The outcomes were displayed on an agarose gel electrophoresis and a plot from melt curve analysis, which had not been previously conducted in Eurasian pygmy owls. We found that only primer set CHD1F/CHD1R proved reliable, as the only one determined sex with one and two band/s and peak/s on the electrophoresis and the melt curve plot for males and females, respectively. The other two primer pairs failed and depicted one band/peak in all specimens regardless of their sex. Therefore, we recommend performing Eurasian pygmy owls’ laboratory sexing by qPCR with CHD1F/CHD1R primers only.


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Funding information in the publication
The research project was supported by two grants provided to MK by the Regional Fund of the South Ostrobothnia of the Finnish Cultural Foundation (Business ID 0116947-3 and 10201775).


Last updated on 2025-27-01 at 19:47