Rapid identification of sex in birds by flow cytometry.

A rapid method to identify sex in birds is described. The method requires microliter volumes of blood, and, under appropriate conditions, results can be available within an hour of sample collection. Samples can be stored at 4 degrees C or -20 degrees C without sacrificing the ability to discriminate sex differences in DNA content. The assay will find utility in laboratory, field, and applied studies, in other classes of vertebrates, and in studies on the dynamics of genome size within and among populations.