A new marker for rapid sex identification of red deer (Cervus elaphus)

Abstract

The red deer (Cervus elaphus) is an economically important game species facing some conservation issues. The knowledge of population parameters such as sex ratios is an important basis for management and conservation. We used previously published Y-chromosomal primers under low-stringency amplification conditions and found that they allow quick and accurate sex identification in this species by producing two different amplicons in males and one in females. Both fragments are clearly different in size and easily separated through agarose gel electrophoresis, allowing one-step sex identification in biological samples such as carcasses, embryos recovered from culled females, and possibly hair or excrements (given sufficient DNA quality). This can help studies on intrauterine sex ratio, sex-biased mortality, or the sex ratio of wild or extensive game populations, with useful applications in demographic studies, game management, and conservation.