Minimal invasive localization of the germinal disc in ovo for subsequent chicken sexing using optical coherence tomography

Research output: Contribution to book/Conference proceedings/Anthology/ReportConference contributionContributedpeer-review

Abstract

Reason for using optical coherence tomography (OCT) to locate the germinal disc is the questionable and ethically alarming killing of male layer chickens because for the layer line only the females are necessary. To avoid this and to protect the animal rights, the sex of the fertilized chicken egg has to be determined as early as possible in the unincubated state. Because the information whether the chick becomes male or female can be found in the germinal disc an accurate localization for sexing is essential. The germinal disc is located somewhere on top of the yolk and has a diameter of approximately 4 - 5 mm. Different imaging methods like ultrasonography, 3D-X-ray micro computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging were used for localization until now, but found to be impractical. The goal of this study is to prove if OCT can be a moderate approach for the precise in ovo localization. Because the eggshell is an impenetrable barrier for OCT and to minimize the penetration of germs a very small hole is placed in the eggshell and a fan-shaped optical scanning pattern is used.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationOptical Coherence Tomography and Coherence Domain Optical Methods in Biomedicine XIV
Publication statusPublished - 2010
Peer-reviewedYes

Publication series

SeriesProgress in Biomedical Optics and Imaging - Proceedings of SPIE
Volume7554
ISSN1605-7422

Conference

TitleOptical Coherence Tomography and Coherence Domain Optical Methods in Biomedicine XIV
Duration25 - 27 January 2010
CitySan Francisco, CA
CountryUnited States of America

External IDs

Scopus 77951574077
ORCID /0000-0003-0554-2178/work/142249856
ORCID /0000-0003-2292-5533/work/142256595

Keywords

Keywords

  • Fan-shaped optical scanning pattern, Localization of the germinal disc, OCT, Questionable and ethically alarming killing of male layer chickens, Scanning through a very small hole, Sexing of the fertilized unincubated chicken egg