Summary
Using a colchicine, hypotonic citrate, air-drying technique clear metaphase figures have been obtained from various tissues of the chick embryo. Karyotypes of both male and female avian cells have been prepared and clearly show that the sex chromosome constitution of the female is ZW and that the total chromosome number is at least 78. Careful examination of the smallest elements leaves no doubt as to their chromosomal nature.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Brink, J.M. Van: L'expression morphologique de la digamétie chez les sauropsidés et les monotrèmes. Chromosoma (Berl.) 10, 1–71 (1959).
—, et G.A. Ubbels: La question des hétérochromosomes chez les sauropsidés. Oiseaux. Experientia (Basel) 12, 162–164 (1956).
Ford, C.E., and J.L. Hamerton: A colchicine, hypotonic citrate, squash sequence for mammalian chromosomes. Stain Technol. 31, 247–251 (1956).
Ford, E. H. R., and D. H. M. Woollam: A colchicine hypotonic citrate, air drying sequence for foetal mammalian chromosomes. Stain Technol. 38, 271–274 (1963); - Testicular chromosomes of Gallus domesticus. Chromosoma (Berl.) 15, 568–578 (1964).
Frederic, J.: Contribution a l'étude du caryotype chez le poulet. Arch. Biol. (Liège) 72, 185–209 (1961).
Hance, R. T.: Sex and the chromosomes in the domestic fowl (Gallus domesticus). J. Morph. 43, 119–145 (1926).
Matthey, R.: Les chromosomes des oiseaux. In: P. Grassé, Traité de Zoologie, vol. XV, Oiseaux. Paris 1950.
Miller, R. A.: Spermatogenesis in a sex-reversed female and in normal males of the domestic fowl, Gallus domesticus. Anat. Rec. 70, 155–189 (1938).
Newcomer, E. H.: The mitotic chromosomes of the domestic fowl. J. Hered. 48, 227 (1957).
—, and J.W.A. Brant: Spermatogenesis in the domestic fowl. J. Hered. 45, 79–87 (1954).
Oguma, K.: Studies on saurepsid chromosomes. V. The karyotypes of the quail and the duck, different from those reported by previous authors. Ann. zool. japan. 17, 612–622 (1938).
Ohno, S.: Sex chromosomes and microchromosomes of Gallus domesticus. Chromosoma (Berl.) 11, 484–494 (1961).
— C. Stenius, L. C. Christian, W. Beçak, and M. L. Beçak: Chromosomal uniformity in the avian subclass Carinatae. Chromosoma (Berl.) 15, 280–288 (1964).
Schmid, W.: DNA replication patterns of the heterochromosomes in Gallus domesticus. Cytogenetics 1, 344–352 (1962).
Stenius, C., L. C. Christian, and S. Ohno: Comparative cytological study of Phasianus colchicus, Meleagris gallopavo and Gallus domesticus. Chromosoma (Berl.) 13, 515–520 (1963).
Welshons, W. J., B. H. Gibson, and B. J. Scandlyn: Slide processing for the examination of male mammalian meiotic chromosomes. Stain Technol. 37, 1–5 (1962).
Yamashina, M. Y.: Karyotype studies in birds. I. Comparative morphology of chromosomes in seventeen races of domestic fowl. Cytologia (Tokyo) 13, 270 (1944).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Owen, J.J.T. Karyotype studies on Gallus domesticus. Chromosoma 16, 601–608 (1965). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00326975
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00326975