Table 6.

Advantages and disadvantages of non-invasive techniques for the determination of body or carcass composition

	Advantages	Disadvantages
Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA)	Easy handling Low radiation Medium price Quick data analysis Regional data analysis	Alone 2D information (so far) No direct data for lean meat (in vivo)
Computed tomography (CT)	Very high anatomical resolution High speed Whole-body 3D data Automatic data analysis	X-radiation exposure Expensive
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)	Excellent soft tissue differentiation Whole-body 3D data Functional imaging No radiation	Expensive (if high field strength magnet) Rather slow (whole body) Availability (farm animal sector)
Ultrasound imaging (US)	Portable, extensive database for some species Reasonably priced No radiation Real time, online No size limit, no sedation/anesthesia	Less accurate anatomical resolution Image analysis not easily automated No whole-body information