Non-invasive investigation of live oysters with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a non-invasive technique that has evolved as an important tool in many applications including clinical radiology, live animal studies, aquaculture, horticulture, agriculture and plant science. It is only recently that MRI has been successfully employed to study oysters. One reason for the delayed application is the cost involved in the purchase of MRI machines. Medical MRI scanners, research machines and small animal MRI machines are becoming available for research and the coming years are expected to produce valuable outcomes. This chapter gives an account of principles of MRI, a description of various MRI techniques and reviews the research in this important area of commercial value. MRI is one of the most attractive alternatives to study oysters and other aquatic animals because of the availability of a multitude of contrast mechanisms, a minimum of sample preparation and its non-invasive nature. MRI is known for its high sensitivity to detect soft tissue with good resolution and contrast It is therefore possible to assess gonad development and seasonal changes in soft tissues in oysters. Long term monitoring is also possible with MRI because of its non-invasive nature. Some of the recent studies have investigated fertilization, spawning and metabolomics in oysters. A low cost and portable NMR machine has been developed that can be used for routine field studies in hatcheries. Interesting new findings by the authors are presented on anatomical and physiological details for Sydney rock and Pacific oysters. Research reviewed in this chapter clearly suggests that MRI has potential to provide outcomes that can help researchers as well as the oyster farmers.