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Collaborative project: Application-oriented studies on the in ovo gender determination in the domestic fowl (Gallus gallus f. dom.) – Subproject 1
Project
Project code: 2813302507
Contract period: 01.02.2012
- 31.01.2015
Budget: 174,540 Euro
Purpose of research: Experimental development
Chickens have undergone an exceptional degree of specialisation. Broilers are selected for high growth rate, while layers have been bred for higher egg yields. The male offspring of layers are of no interest for meat production, as the meat yield is unsuitable for commercialisation. Therefore, most of the male layer chicks are culled immediately after hatch. The goal of our study is to find economically viable methods for sex determination in early stages of the embryonic development. Knowledge of the localization of the germinal disc is crucial for the sex diagnosis in unincubated eggs. The germinal disc floats to the uppermost surface of the yolk. As the shell forms an impenetrable barrier for a precise localization of the germinal disc using light of any wavelengths, the egg is scanned and the zenith of the shell is determined. Using a CO2-Laser, a small hole in the shell is incised. Optical coherence tomography is used for the localization of the germinal disc. A ‘keyhole-scanning’ optic allows a fan-shaped scanning through holes and thus it is possible to investigate areas behind them.Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy is used for sex determination. In this technique, the difference in the DNA between the Z and W sex chromosomes is a sensitive marker for sex determination. In addition, the method also has the potential for non-invasive in ovo-measurements.Furthermore, endocrine analysis of allantoic fluid revealed significant differences between males and females.
Section overview
Subjects
- Animal Husbandry
Funding programme
Excutive institution
Funding institution
Project management agencies
Associated projects: Possibilities of in ovo sex determination in domestic chickens (Gallus gallus var. dom) as an alternative to routine killings of male day-old chicks of laying breeds
- Collaborative project: Application-oriented studies on the in ovo gender determination in the domestic fowl (Gallus gallus f. dom.) – Subproject 3
- Collaborative project: Application-oriented studies on the in ovo gender determination in the domestic fowl (Gallus gallus f. dom.) – Subproject 2
- Collaborative project: Possibilities of in ovo sex determination in domestic chickens (Gallus gallus var. dom) as an alternative to routine killings of male day-old chicks of laying breeds – Subproject 5
- Collaborative project: Possibilities of in ovo sex determination in domestic chickens (Gallus gallus var. dom) as an alternative to routine killings of male day-old chicks of laying breeds – Subproject 4
- Collaborative project: Possibilities of in ovo sex determination in domestic chickens (Gallus gallus var. dom) as an alternative to routine killings of male day-old chicks of laying breeds – Subproject 3
- Collaborative project: Possibilities of in ovo sex determination in domestic chickens (Gallus gallus var. dom) as an alternative to routine killings of male day-old chicks of laying breeds – Subproject 2
- Collaborative project: Application-oriented studies on the in ovo gender determination in the domestic fowl (Gallus gallus f. dom.) – Subproject 4
