Effect on Algal Growth with green algae, blue algae and diatoms:

• Algae Growth Inhibition Test:  OECD 201 / OPPTS 850.5400/ JMAFF 2-7-7 / IN EN ISO 10253 and DIN EN ISO 8692

Effect on Macrophytes with Myriophyllum spicatum or Myriophyllum aquaticum, or Myriophyllum sibiricum

• Lemna sp. Growth Inhibition Test:  with Lemna gibba or Lemna minor:  OECD 221
• Water-Sediment Myriophyllum Spicatum Toxicity Test: OECD 239
• Sediment-Free Myriophyllum Spicatum Toxicity Test: OECD238

Several species are offered and available:

• Monocotyledon species (available all year round): Heteranthera zosterifolia, Egeria densa, Elodea Canadensis, Glyceria maxima, Wolffia arrhizal, Spirodela polyrhiza and Vallisneria spiralis
• Eudicotyledon species (available all year round): Nasturtium officinale, Myriophyllum sibiricum and Hottonia palustris
• Eudicotyledon species (available from spring to late summer): Callitriche palustris, Ranunculus aquatilis, Nymphoides peltata, Veronica beccabunga and Hippuris vulgaris
• Green algae: Desmodesmus subspicatus, Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata, Chlorella vulgaris and Chlamydomonas reinhardtii
• Blue algae: Anabaena flos-aquae
• Diatoms: Navicula pelliculosa
• Marine Diatoms: Skeletonema costatum and Phaeodactylum tricornutum

Alternative species and assessments of species sensitivity distribution (SSD) are available on request.

Acute toxicity and reproduction tests on invertebrates (freshwater and marine) are performed, depending on the requirements, in static, semi-static or for some species also in flow-through test design. The requirements of the OECD guidance document 23 on aqueous-phase aquatic toxicity testing of difficult test chemicals are also considered and implemented in the test designs. Studies with pulsed-exposure scenarios can be also performed.

We perform studies with Daphnia, Chironomus, Lumbriculus, Mysis and Hyalella. For higher-tier effect assessment further invertebrate taxa e.g.  Asellus,  Gammarus, Chaoborus, Culex, Cyclopoida, Odonata, Trichoptera and Ephemeroptera are available.

Several combinations of invertebrate taxa are offered in microcosm test designs.

Effect on Daphnia:

• Daphnia Acute Toxicity Test: OECD 202 / OCSPP 850.1010 / JMAFF 2-7-2-1
• Daphnia Reproduction Test: OECD 211 / OCSPP 850.1300
   

Effect on sediment dwelling larvae:

• Chironomus sp., Acute Immobilisation Test: OECD 235 
• Sediment-Water Chironomid Toxicity Using Spiked Sediment: OECD 218
• Sediment-Water Chironomid Toxicity Using Spiked Water: OECD 219
• Sediment-Water Chironomid Life-Cycle Toxicity Test Using Spiked Water or Spiked Sediment: OECD 233

Effect on Lumbriculus:

• Sediment-Water Lumbriculus Toxicity Test Using Spiked Sediment: OECD225
• Bioaccumulation in Sediment-dwelling Benthic Oligochaetes: OECD 315

Chronic testing with Chironomids and Oligochaetes are routinely run with non-radiolabeled and radiolabeled test material. The accompanying analytical determination is performed in-house.

Fish acute and chronic toxicity tests with several different fish species (e.g. rainbow trout, zebrafish, common carp, fathead minnow and medaka) are offered.

In summary, the following tests are conducted in our laboratories:

• Acute toxicity tests: OECD 203 / OPPTS 850.1075
• Fish embryo tests (FET): OECD 236
• Fish juvenile growth test: OECD 215
• Bioaccumulation in Fish: OECD 305
• Early life stage toxicity test: OECD 210
• Short term toxicity testing on embryo and sac-fry stages: OECD 212
• Fish juvenile growth test: OECD 215

Depending on the properties of the test item static, semi-static or flow through test designs are applied. Various technical options for dosing of flow-through systems are available.  Tests on bioaccumulation are offered with fish, oysters and other species.

For standard test design zebra fish and rainbow trout will be used. Other species can be offered on demand.

General facts:

• Zebrafish, fathead and medaka are cultured and reared in-house.
• Local suppliers are sourced for rainbow trout, carp and others.
• All tests can be performed static, semi-static or under flow-through conditions.
• Depending on test item properties several different pumping devices for application are available like e.g. peristaltic-, HPLC- and diluter pumps.
• Tests can be performed with purified tap water or with reconstituted water according to ISO 6341. Fully automated water provision is available.
• All labs are state-of-the-art temperature controlled.

The effects of endocrine-disrupting compounds have become a central point of focus for the scientific community and an area of concern for the wider public.

There are now a variety of legislative implementations including:

• United States’ Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program (EDSP)
• European law regarding Plant Protection Products (1107/2009), REACH (1907/2006), Biocides (528/2012) and Human Pharmaceuticals
• Article 8(3) of Directive 2001/83/EC and associated ERA Guidance EMEA/CHMP/SWP/4447/00 (Rev. 1.)
• CLP Regulation (EC) No. 1272/2008

These pieces of legislation are supported by guidance documents from non-regulatory bodies such as the Organization for Economic and Cooperation and Development (OECD) and World Health Organization (WHO).

In response to these developments, our experts have been at the forefront of developing specific tests to identify endocrine disruptors and determine their effects, enabling us to address the concerns of the chemical industry, government and non-government organisations and the wider public.

• Fish Short Term Reproduction Assay (FSTRA) with Zebrafish (Danio rerio), with Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes), with Fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas): OECD 229
• A Short-Term Screening for Oestrogenic and Androgenic Activity, and Aromatase Inhibition test (21 days Fish Assay) with  Zebrafish (Danio rerio), with Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes), with Fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas): OECD 230
• Amphibian Metamorphosis Assay (AMA) with with African clawed frog (Xenopus laevis): OECD 231
• Fish Sexual Development Test (FSDT) with Zebrafish (Danio rerio) and with Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes): OECD 234
• Extended One Generation Reproduction Test (MEOGRT) with Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes): OECD 240
• Larval Amphibian Growth and Development Assay (LAGDA) with African clawed frog (Xenopus laevis): OECD 241
• Xenopus Eleutheroembryonic Thyroid Assay (XETA): OECD 248
• Fish Full Life Cycle Test / Extended One Generation Reproduction Test (FFLC/ZEOGRT) with Zebrafish (Danio rerio) and  Fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas); OCSPP 850.1500/OECD guideline in validation

Aquatic studies (algae, daphnia, fish) with microbial pest control agents are performed in our laboratories, including accompanying analytics (also for terrestrial studies e.g. with Aphidius, Typhlodromus and Apis mellifera). Tests can be performed according to OCSPP and OECD test guidelines. We offer additional services e.g. method development, method validation, 5-Batch analysis and survivability studies.

Tests for microbial contaminants are offered in collaboration with partner laboratories.

Genetic sex determination within endocrine testing (FSDT, MEOGRT, LAGDA) is also performed in our laboratories.