Provision of service
Alongside its scientific research work, MarLab plays a role as a service-provider for veterinary, chemical and biological analyses, thanks to a complementarity of diagnostic tasks and research and the development of new test and technologies, so far inexistent.
There is a price range according to the number and nature of the samples.
For details please fill the request service form.
ENDOCRINOLOGY
At MarLab we offer services for endocrinology, and we can work on plasma/serum, urine, faeces, skin, saliva and mucus samples. We also work on post-mortem tissues sampling (mainly from strandings).
You can download here information on sampling, conservation and transport of samples or in the downloads section.
The list of analyses we can perform is the following:
There is a price range according to the number and nature of the samples.
For details please fill the request service form.
ENDOCRINOLOGY
At MarLab we offer services for endocrinology, and we can work on plasma/serum, urine, faeces, skin, saliva and mucus samples. We also work on post-mortem tissues sampling (mainly from strandings).
You can download here information on sampling, conservation and transport of samples or in the downloads section.
The list of analyses we can perform is the following:
- Thyroid :
- T3, T4, TSH
- Stress :
- Cortisol
- Corticosteron
- Aldosterone, ACTH
- Parathyroid :
- PTH, Vitamin D (active and non-active form)
- New inflammation markers:
- Serum amyloid A
- Sexual hormones:
- Oestradiol
- Testosterone
- Progesteron
The list of species we have been working on is:
- Cetaceans:
Bottlenose dolphins
Orcas
Common dolphins
Risso’s dolphins - Pinnipeds:
Sea lions
Phocids - Sea turtles
- Penguins
- Fish :
Sharks
Rays - Other mammals:
Polar bears
Big cats
Wolves
SAMPLING FREQUENCY
For many hormones, single samples will give little or no information on endocrine balance.
We suggest that repeated sampling is performed, and possibly constantly at the same time of the day and at the same conditions (i.e. starving, pre- or post-exercise), particularly for adrenergic and thyroid activity, which are highly influenced by the body and daily conditions.
DATA VALIDATION
We have at present tested our analyses on many species. For any new species, we will need to perform a validation test, that will be included in the analyses costs. Indeed, until validation is performed, we cannot guarantee reliability of results. So, if validation is required, additional samples are necessary and should be provided by the costumer.
WARRANTIES
Hormone analyses will be performed in the shortest time possible, and always within 10 working days.
If any problem will eventually occur, a different deadline for results will be agreed with the costumer.
TOXICOLOGY
At MarLab we offer services for toxicology, and we can work on any kind of sample.
You can download here information on sampling and transport of samples or in the downloads section.
At present we can provide analysis for trace elements, biotoxins and organic contaminants.
WARRANTIES
Toxicological analyses will be performed in the shortest time possible. Given different processing time required by different methodologies, the time to get results will be communicated together with the offer.
If any problem will eventually occur, a different deadline for results will be agreed with the costumer.
QUALITY MANAGEMENT
For both endocrinology and toxicology use analytical methods that have been published in peer-reviewed journals including quality criteria and thus have passed critical assessment of external experts. In addition, each assay is routinely subjected to the following quality management procedures:
1. Sample analyses are carried out in duplicates. In case duplicates deviate more than 5%, the analysis is repeated.
2. Standard samples (controls) are included in each assay. These must always result in the same concentrations, irrespective of the person running the assay. Results are documented over several years in a central data set and are under control of the lab leader. In case of significant deviations from normal, the assay has is repeated. In case of repeated deviations, a troubleshooting routine is initiated.
3. Calibrations curves are used for quantification. The calibration curves are included in each batch of analyses, and are compared from one analyses to the other, to confirm for constancy.
DATA REPORT AND PROPERTY
Once analyses are completed, a report will be produced and sent to the costumer.
Being MarLab also research oriented associations, obtained data could be used by MarLab for publications. MarLab will not explicitly name the costumers from whom the samples will be obtained in the publications, unless the costumer requires to be cited.