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An inexpensive method for chromosome preparations from feather pulpin birds, using short term treatment with colchicine in vitro, demonstrated on Amazona amazonica (Psittacidae)

M.L. Giannoni^I; F. Foresti^II; C. Falcone^I; P.A. Tosta^I

^IDepartamento de Melhoramento Genético Animal. FCAVJ/UNESP, 14870-000 Jaboticabal, SP, Brasil. Send correspondence to M.L.G.
^IIDepartamento de Morfologia, Lnstituto de Biociências, UNESP, 18618-000 Botucatu, SP, Brasil

ABSTRACT

In order to develop an efficient and low-cost technique for obtaining bird chromosome preparations, and to adapt the cytogenetic process of bird sexing for general use at zoos and breeding farms with the technical support of cytogenetics laboratories, we tested variants of the technique described by Giannoni et al. (Genet. Sel. Evol. 23: 123-125, 1991), based on the utilization of cellular material from growing feather pulp cultured in complete medium for six hours. Hanks' saline solution gave satisfactory performance as a substitute for complete medium, with no need to use PHA, serum or collagenase, when utilized in material obtained from feather pulp of Amazona amazonica (Psittacidae).

Keywords: Chromosome preparations; Birds; Amazona amazonica; Pstttacidae.

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