Presentation

The LIPH4SAS "Livestock Phenotyping for Sustainable Agroecological Systems" research infrastructure (IR) is co-managed by the INRAE Animal Genetics (GA) and Animal Physiology and Livestock Systems (PHASE) departments and is listed on the national RI roadmap since 2021.

It allows the implementation of experiments and the collection of phenotypes and samples for the scientific communities in animal sciences, which carry out research aimed at favoring the transition towards more sustainable agricultural and food systems, based on the principles of agroecology.

Infrastructure dedicated to the phenotyping of farm animals (cattle, small ruminants, pigs, fish). It includes ten INRAE entities, seven of which are experimental units and are labeled as collective scientific infrastructures.

The phenotypes measured range from fine exploration of biological functions on small numbers of animals (vertical phenotyping), to non-invasive measurements on large numbers (horizontal phenotyping). The animals have precisely known health, genetic and physiological status. They come from commercial populations or original populations allowing the study of specific biological functions.

The measurements, standardized and robust, are carried out under varied and finely characterized breeding conditions, making it possible to study genotype x environment interactions or animal responses to environmental variations. The protocols are designed to ensure the reproducibility of the results and are carried out with the strictest respect for animal welfare and the regulations on animal experimentation (rule of 3Rs – Reduce, Refine, Replace).

The infrastructure also has a mission of technological innovation, in particular for the development of non-invasive methods, alternatives to animal experimentation, training and technology transfer.