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Science 28 May 1971:
Vol. 172. no. 3986, pp. 962 - 964
DOI: 10.1126/science.172.3986.962
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Articles

Intersexes and Sex Determination in Chickens

F. Abdel-Hameed 1 and R. N. Shoffner 2

1 Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Illinois University, De Kalb, Illinois 60115
2 Department of Poultry Science, University of Minnesota, St. Paul

Chickens sexed as females in commercial flocks show a low frequency of intersex individuals. Gross anatomical examination of the intersexes revealed malformed gonads. Histological examination proved that these gonads were not ovotestes but were composed of testicular tissues. Karyotype analysis of 15 intersex individuals showed 13 of them to be 3A-ZZW triploids (normal females are 2A-ZW) while the other 2 were mosaic for male and female karyotypes. Red blood cell volume accurately reflects the ploidy level and is suggested for use in screening for polyploids. Intersex triploids may develop parthenogenetically or from fertilization between reduced and unreduced gametes.


THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES:
Molecular Biology of Ovarian Aromatase in Sex Reversal: Complementary DNA and 5'-Flanking Region Isolation and Differential Expression of Ovarian Aromatase in the Gilthead Seabream (Sparus aurata).
T.-T. Wong, S. Ijiri, and Y. Zohar (2006)
Biol Reprod 74, 857-864
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Hemoglobin Concentration in Normal Diploid and Intersex Triploid Chickens: Genetic Inactivation or Canalization?.
F. Abdel-Hameed (1972)
Science 178, 864-865
   Abstract »    PDF »


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