Use of ultrasonographic examination for in vivo evaluation of body composition and for prediction of carcass quality of sheep

Since the first use in examination of soft tissue in 1950, the ultrasound technique has had an enormous success as an excellent diagnostic tool for the medical field. As a consequence of this relation with the medical field, a huge technological evolution of equipment and image analytic methods have been observed. Alongside with medical applications, ultrasound techniques have been used for evaluation of body composition of farm species since the late 1950s. The technique has been used ies to predict in vivo traits related to carcass composition in various animal species. This review summarises developments in the application of ultrasound technique in sheep. Experimental results are analysed and aspects that influence accuracy and precision of the technique are reviewed. In general, the ultrasound technique shows to be able to evaluate in vivo traits related to carcass composition and quality in sheep. In the future, further developments expected for the technique together with other imaging techniques will allow deeper understanding of the body composition of that species.