This from Dr Bruce Robertson. Please contact him directly if you have any queries.
In the past I have offered an informal DNA sexing service for birds to DOC and other interested parties. With my recent move to Otago University and set up of a new conservation genetics laboratory, I am once again able to do this.
I offer DNA sexing, which includes two molecular tests of sex, at $25 plus GST per sample. The use of two independent molecular tests of sex is essential as all sex tests use the detection of the female chromosome (the W chromosome: females are ZW), which can for various reasons occasionally not amplify when present. In such instances, a female will be indistinguishable from a male (ZZ). The likelihood of the W chromosome not being detected in two successive independent tests is low. Consequently, this approach to DNA sexing is more rigorous than the use of a single sex test. DNA sexing can be done on blood, tissue or feathers.
Dr Bruce C. Robertson
Senior Lecturer in Wildlife Management and Conservation Biology
Department of Zoology
University of Otago
PO Box 56
Dunedin 9054
NEW ZEALAND
Courier: 340 Great King Street
Email: bruce.robertson@otago.ac.nz
Phone: +64 3 479 4110
Fax: +64 3 479 7584
http://www.otago.ac.nz/zoology/staff/academic/robertson.html
