Ultrasonic Imaging, a Potential Tool for Sex Determination of Live Fish

Abstract
Using two conventional, medical, ultrasound imaging systems, we studied 15 juvenile and 5 mature coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) to determine if their sex could be ascertained from ultrasound images. Although liver, gut, and skeletal structures were discernible, we found the ovary and testes of the juvenile salmon difficult to identify. In mature salmon (less than 1 month from spawning), the eggs, testes, and even the male gonadal duct were clearly visible. The present study provides the first report of a technique for rapid, less‐than‐60‐second, non‐invasive identification of the sex of salmon. Our findings indicate that rapid sex determination of live fish with ultrasound is feasible.

This publication has 0 references indexed in Scilit: