ISSN:
1365-2109
Source:
Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005
Topics:
Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
Notes:
Abstract. We describe a rapid, non-destructive method for determining lean body mass (LBM; i.e. total body mass — total lipid mass) and lipid content in live fish. This method provides non-invasive determination of body composition by measuring the total body electrical conductivity (TOBEC) of an animal placed within a low-frequency electromagnetic field. This principle is governed by the different electrical properties of body fat and fat-free tissues. Relationships between TOBEC analysis and body composition were examined using juvenile sunshine bass (hybrid striped bass, Morone chrysops (Rafinesque) ♀×M. saxatilis (Walbaum) ♂) in a size range of 24–124g. Whole-body conductivity was significantly correlated to LBM, lipid, protein, water, and ash content. Analyses of an independent group of fish indicated TOBEC to be a reliable indicator of body composition. This method should prove useful for deriving body composition data at various phases of an experiment or a life cycle, rather than a single point in time as with destructive methods.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2109.1993.tb00634.x
