EXAM

Amphibians Experimentation

Scientific manager : Sylvie VEYRENC
Technical expertise : Sylvie VEYRENC

The experiments carried out on the platform concern LECA’s research associated with the ecophysiology and ecotoxicology of amphibians in relation to ecological imbalances (pollution, temperature, UV, altitude). The EXAM platform is made up of two parts : a part providing accommodation for the amphibians and exposure of the animals and a part intended for the study of the physiological consequences of these disturbances.

 

Technical skills, equipment

Housing Amphibians

The entity is composed of several independent rooms for which the environmental conditions are controlled (temperature, hygrometry, photoperiod). The allocation of each room is dedicated to a particular species : Green frog (Pelophylax kl. Esculentus), Red frog (Rana temporaria), Xenopus (Xenopus tropicalis).

The zootechnical expertise associated with this entity is :

  • Maintenance and hygiene of premises and equipment
  • Management of care and feeding of amphibians
  • Exposure to the physical or chemical parameters studied in environmental conditions.
  • Handling and monitoring of amphibians (functional traits, sex ratio, reproduction)

 

 

Ecophysiology - Ecotoxicology

The entity provides expertise in setting up protocols for studying the physiology of amphibians in response to environmental stresses.

The skills listed below correspond to protocols developed on the Amphibian model :
– Ecotoxicological tests (EC50)

– Metabolic disorders :

  • Glucose tolerance, pyruvate and insulin sensitivity test
  • Glycogen dosage on tissue extract
  • ELISA test : determination of plasma insulin, testosterone determination, etc.
  • Enzymological test : measurement of the enzymatic activities of the liver (ALAT transaminases...)

– Histology

  • Tissue cryopreservation
  • Tissue sections (cryotome)
  • Standard and special colours (HE, PAS, ORO...)
  • Identification of proteins of interest by immuno-labelling and interpretation

Functioning, pricing (if applicable)

The conditions of care and use of amphibians comply with national and European regulations on the Protection of Vertebrate Animals used for scientific purposes (Directive 2010/63 ; Decree 2013-118). LECA is a member of the Animal Welfare Committee. Furthermore, LECA is a member of the Network for the Sanitary Study of Aquatic Model Animals (RESAMA) which works in collaboration with VETOFISH (aquaculture fish farming Veterinarians Group).

The use of the EXAM platform is subject to authorisation. Users must attend monthly technical meetings to monitor the application of the regulations, organise the use of the premises and keep abreast of technical developments. For all information on services or prices, please contact Sylvie VEYRENC.

 

Who is involved ?

Research assistants :

– Nelly REYMOND
– Sylvie VEYRENC

 

Who is using it ?

Researchers / Professors :

– Muriel RAVETON
– Stéphane REYNAUD
– Sophie SRODA

Research assistants :

– Sylvie VEYRENC

 

What are the ongoing projects ?

Projects
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