Bali Starling (Leucopsar rothschildi) are monomorphic at the age of nestling. For the conservation of bird it important is to determine its sex at the earlier stage. Conventional methods have limitations. This study applied PCR-based molecular sexing to answer this issue. This study aimed to obtain the most effective molecular primers to identify the sex of Bali starling. The most common used combination of P2/P8, 2550F/ 2718R and 1237L/1272H primers, which amplify CHD1 gene (Chromo-helicase-DNA-binding) were evaluated. DNA samples were obtained from secondary wing feathers of young Bali Starling. Separation in agarose gel electrophoresis of PCR products showed that the three primers were successfully amplified the samples with different degrees of success, that was 90% (P2/P8), 86.7% (2550F/2718R), and 73.3% (1237L/1272H), respectively. However, only the combination of P2/P4 and 2550F/2718R primers was able to sex Bali Starling based on observation of PCR products on agarose gel. The sizes of the genes were slightly different with those reported on previous studies. Most of the results of molecular sexing were in accordance with the sex based on morphological characters.
Keywords : Bali starling, Leucopsar rothschildi, molecular sexing, CHD gene