Testing?

[RRRExotics]

I was informed that you can use DNA testing and xrays to determine the sex of a bluey. Is this true and what are the different proceedures/options? Very curious. But would only consider doing it if it was safe.

[Jeff]

I have heard that it is very difficult to sex BTS by x-ray. As far as I know, you can sex just about all reptiles with DNA. This would most likely require a blood sample at least, and possibly a tissue sample. It would still be safe if the samples are collected by a competent person. I am not sure what the cost would be though.

Your best bet is probably to call a reptile vet in your area.

[Lea]

There was a study done about four years ago, at the Melbourne zoo, on the use of ultrasound to determine the sex of juvenile and adult lizards. The outcome is still in the trial phase for most small to medium sized lizards, but they have proved the efficacy in snakes. It was so successful, they marketed a home use machine!

I've lost track of where they are now, but I believe the study was through Monash University. The advantages to lizards would be, of course, that it's non invasive and only takes about 30 seconds to complete. It's basically what we use for bladder/gallbladder type scans in people, with a smaller probe. The trouble with producing a suitable probe, was the small surface and target area, resulting in an effective probe for ultrasound due to interference, amongst other things.

That's about all I know on the subject that is lizard specific, as I haven't kept up with the outcome of the study. I'm sure it's worth looking into, particularly if you have large breeding projects which would make a home device economical.

[Scotts1au]

http://www.cabi.org/isc/FullTextPDF/200 ... 069426.pdf

This may be the study.

[jasjmm27]

I'm buying one...

[Dakota]

http://www.cabi.org/isc/FullTextPDF/2009/20093069426.pdf

This may be the study.

So, studying the head and body size CAN tell gender 90% correctly? Interesting.

[Scotts1au]

http://www.cabi.org/isc/FullTextPDF/2009/20093069426.pdf

This may be the study.

So, studying the head and body size CAN tell gender 90% correctly? Interesting.

it was using the ultrasound technique gave 90% accuracy. The morphological approach was called "useful".

[Fatal_S]

The BTS Bible says that DNA testing does not work for BTS. Apparently there's more than one chromosome for gender (as opposed to our simple XY/XX gene), and at the time of the bible no one had figured out which chromosomes linked to gender in BTS.

[Richard.C]

X2 what mel said

also xray i believe isnt reliable on blueys either,doesnt show male bits like in monitors,have a feeling ultrasound wasnt real reliable either,hence u dont hear of these methods being mentioned ,usually its endoscopic examination if u want reliability,a medical procedure

all these are procedures you would need to do your self after purchase,so arent much help if your looking to buy a particular sex first,hence if u can take a wild guess first ,know the subtle things to look for in a particular species or even better buy a known sex animal,your in front from the beginning

[Fatal_S]

If I recall, either x-ray or ultrasound (I can't remember which) could be used to see follicles in a mature female, but that lack of the follicles didn't necessarily mean it was a male either. Similar to seeing hemipenes/sperm plugs - if you happen to see those you know it's a male, but not seeing them doesn't mean it's definitely a female.

[Lea]

http://www.cabi.org/isc/FullTextPDF/2009/20093069426.pdf

This may be the study.

No, that wasn't it, but I'll keep looking. That's still a good link though. I wonder if they collaborated at some point, since they seem to be after the same conclusions.