The present invention relates to a measuring
system for the non-invasive, preferably automated, sex determination of embryos in an egg 50 during early embryonic development, particularly before the seventh day of incubation, particularly during incubation, particularly in an
incubator with at least one egg tray 40 for holding a plurality of eggs 50 and at least one egg trolley 80 for holding at least one egg tray 40, comprising at least one
irradiation unit 10 for irradiating an egg 50 with
electromagnetic radiation; at least one sensor unit 20 for detecting
electromagnetic radiation transmitted by the egg 50; and an evaluation unit 30 with at least one
spectrometer 31 configured to receive the
radiation transmitted by the egg 50 and to generate a spectrum of the
radiation transmitted by the egg 50.and a
data processing unit 33 configured to receive spectra generated by the
spectrometer 31 and to store them as a reference spectrum or measurement spectrum; an identification unit 23 for generating identification data by means of which the spectra generated on an egg 50 can be uniquely assigned to the egg 50; and a classification unit 35; wherein the
data processing unit 33 is configured to store spectra generated by the
spectrometer 31 and associated identification data, and wherein the classification unit 35 is configured to determine the sex of the
embryo based on at least one reference spectrum and at least one measurement spectrum. A corresponding method is further specified within the scope of the invention.