Julie Lemarchand
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Julie Lemarchand

Julie Lemarchand

Assistante ingénieur CNRS

Formation:

  • 2008: Licence Biologie Moléculaire et Culture Cellulaire en alternance, Plateforme de Recombinaison Homologue, Institut Cochin, INSERM, Paris
  • 2007: BTS Analyses Biologiques en alternance, Laboratoire d’Analyses Médicales, Neuilly-sur-Seine

Carrière:

  • 1er janvier 2019: Assistante ingénieur en expérimentation animale- Equipe CEB : Cognition, Ethologie, Bien-être animal UMR-PRC, INRAE Tours-Nouzilly.
  • 2016-2018: Assistante ingénieur en expérimentation Animale - Equipe CNA : « Comportement, Neurobiologie et Adaptation » UMR-PRC, INRA Tours-Nouzilly.
  • 2014-2016: Assistante en Expérimentation et Instrumentation Biologiques – Equipe Auto-renouvèlement et tumorigenèse de l’épithélium intestinal, Institut Cochin, INSERM, Paris
  • 2008-2014: Assistante en Expérimentation et Instrumentation Biologiques - Plateforme de Recombinaison Homologue Transfert d’Embryons et Cryoconservation, Institut Cochin, INSERM, Paris

Activités:

Ma 1ère mission consiste à mettre au point, développer des outils/méthodes permettant de caractériser le comportement et les composantes de l’univers mental (i.e. la cognition) des animaux. Ma 2nde mission, pleinement reliée à la 1ère, consiste à décrypter les circuits neurobiologiques impliqués dans ces processus mentaux. La spécificité de notre équipe est d’étudier des espèces animales d’élevage. Je mène des projets aussi bien en conditions expérimentales que de terrain. Ces travaux permettent d’alimenter la réflexion actuelle autour de l’éthique, du statut des animaux, un thème important au sein des instituts de recherche qui conduisent des expériences en biologie animale, et dans ce cadre je suis l’adjointe de la présidente du comité d’éthique de la région Val de Loire (CEEA n°19).

 

HAL : Dernières publications

  • [hal-04735026] Exploring neuronal markers and early social environment influence in divergent quail lines selected for social motivation

    Many species, including humans exhibit a wide range of social behaviors that are crucial for the adaptation and survival of most species. Brain organization and function are shaped by genetic and environmental factors, although their precise contributions have been relatively understudied in the context of artificial selection. We used divergent lines of quail selected on their high versus low level of motivation to approach a group of conspecifics (S + and S-, respectively) to investigate the influence of genetic selection and early social environment on sociability. We observed distinct sex-and brainregion-specific expression patterns of three neuronal markers: mesotocin, and vasotocin, the avian homologues of mammalian oxytocin and vasopressin, as well as aromatase, the enzyme that converts androgens into estrogens. These markers displayed pronounced and neuroanatomically specific differences between S + and S-quail. Additionally, in a second experiment, we assessed the influence of early social environment on social skills in juvenile birds. Mixing S + and S-resulted in more S-males approaching the group without affecting the sociability of S + or other behaviors, suggesting that the early social environment may influence the results of genetic selection. In conclusion, the divergent quail lines offer a valuable model for unraveling the neuronal and behavioral mechanisms underlying social behaviors.

    ano.nymous@ccsd.cnrs.fr.invalid (Lucas Court) 14 Oct 2024

    https://hal.science/hal-04735026v1
  • [hal-03768888] Horse welfare: A joint assessment of four categories of behavioural indicators using the AWIN protocol, scan sampling and surveys

    Domesticated horses (Equus caballus) can be exposed to a compromised welfare state and detecting a deterioration in welfare is essential to modify the animals' living conditions appropriately. This study focused on four categories of behavioural indicators, as markers of poor welfare: stereotypies, aggressiveness towards humans, unresponsiveness to the environment and hypervigilance. In the scientific literature, at least three assessment methods can be used to evaluate them: the Animal Welfare Indicators (AWIN) protocol, behavioural observations using scans and surveys. The question remains as to whether all these three methods allow an effective assessment of the four categories of behavioural indicators. To address this issue, the repeatability at a three-month interval and convergent validity of each measure (correlations between methods) were investigated on 202 horses housed in loose boxes. Overall, the repeatability and convergent validity were limited, highlighting the difficulty in assessing these indicators in horses. However, stereotypies and aggressiveness measures showed higher repeatability and convergent validity than those of unresponsiveness to the environment and hypervigilance. Behavioural observations using scans enabled the four categories of behavioural indicators to be detected more effectively. Suggestions of improvements are proposed for one-off measures such as those performed with the AWIN protocol. Regardless of the assessment method, very limited correlations were observed between the four categories of behavioural indicators, suggesting that they should all be included in a set of indicators used to assess the welfare state of horses, in conjunction with physiological and health measures.

    ano.nymous@ccsd.cnrs.fr.invalid (Alice Ruet) 20 Feb 2023

    https://hal.science/hal-03768888v1
  • [hal-03448777] Microbiota and stress: a loop that impacts memory

    Chronic stress and the gut microbiota appear to comprise a feed-forward loop, which contributes to the development of depressive disorders. Evidence suggests that memory can also be impaired by either chronic stress or microbiota imbalance. However, it remains to be established whether these could be a part of an integrated loop model and be responsible for memory impairments. To shed light on this, we used a two-pronged approach in Japanese quail: first stress-induced alterations in gut microbiota were characterized, then we tested whether this altered microbiota could affect brain and memory function when transferred to a germ-free host. The cecal microbiota of chronically stressed quails was found to be significantly different from that of unstressed individuals with lower α and β diversities and increased Bacteroidetes abundance largely represented by the Alistipes genus, a well-known stress target in rodents and humans. The transfer of this altered microbiota into germ-free quails decreased their spatial and cue-based memory abilities as previously demonstrated in the stressed donors. The recipients also displayed increased anxiety-like behavior, reduced basal plasma corticosterone levels and differential gene expression in the brain. Furthermore, cecal microbiota transfer from a chronically stressed individual was sufficient to mimic the adverse impact of chronic stress on memory in recipient hosts and this action may be related to the Alistipes genus. Our results provide evidence of a feed-forward loop system linking the microbiota-gut-brain axis to stress and memory function and suggest that maintaining a healthy microbiota could help alleviate memory impairments linked to chronic stress.

    ano.nymous@ccsd.cnrs.fr.invalid (Narjis Kraimi) 18 Jan 2022

    https://hal.science/hal-03448777v1
  • [hal-03744235] Automatic brushes induce positive emotions and foster positive social interactions in group-housed horses

    In mammals, positive tactile contact is recognized as an effective tool for triggering positive affective states. In this study, we investigated the benefits of providing automatic rotative brushes for group-housed horses. Our three aims were: i. to determine whether horses used automatic brushes and if so how they used them; ii. to investigate whether the presence of these brushes induced positive social behaviors (allogrooming), or aggressiveness, as can be observed when there is competition for a desired resource; iii to provide a preliminary explanation of the role of the positive facial expression displayed by some horses while being groomed. Two brushes were installed in a large stable with free access to a paddock in which 40 horses were housed 7h30/day. For four days, video-cameras placed above the brushes continuously filmed the horses. First, analysis of the video footage demonstrated that brushes were used by almost 90% of the horses, mainly on areas that are not easily accessible to another horse during allogrooming, such as the head. Secondly, it revealed that among the horses that used the brush, 25.7% expressed positive social behavior (allogrooming) at the same time, while none expressed aggressive behaviors. The brush thus seems to act as a catalyst for affiliative behaviors rather than competition for a desired resource. Thirdly, we observed their facial expression, especially a positive one, described when the horse are groomed (neck moderately raised, eyes open or half-closed, upper lip extended, ears turned backwards almost in line with the nose). More than half of the horses displayed this while using the brushes. Interestingly, when a horse expressed this face, it had a six times greater chance to subsequently start allogrooming with a conspecific. Several possible explanations are discussed, including a social function. Further research is needed to validate other criteria to help qualify whether or not this positive facial expression is a signal of intentional communication. From a practical point of view, the results show that the brushes provide both a direct benefit to the horses enabling them to conduct self-grooming, and also in all likelihood, an indirect benefit by facilitating positive social interactions. This study encourages the installation of automatic brushes in places where horses are kept to improve their welfare and provide comfort.

    ano.nymous@ccsd.cnrs.fr.invalid (Léa Lansade) 08 Jan 2024

    https://hal.inrae.fr/hal-03744235v1
  • [hal-03369464] Training level reveals a dynamic dialogue between stress and memory systems in birds

    Chronic stress profoundly affects forms of declarative memory, such as spatial memory, while it may spare nondeclarative memory, such as cue-based memory. It is known, however, that the effects of chronic stress on memory systems may vary according to the level of training of an individual was submitted. Here, we investigated, in birds, how chronic stress impact spatial and cue-based memories according to training level. For that, control and chronically stressed Japanese quail were trained in a task that could be solved using spatial and cuebased memory and tested for their memory performance after 5 and 15 training days (initial training and overtraining, respectively) and following an emotional challenge (exposure to an open field). Our results showed that, compared to control quail, chronic stress impacted negatively spatial memory performances in stressed birds after initial training, but these differences were lowered after overtraining. Control birds seemed to shift from spatial to cue-based memory to solve the task across overtraining. However, an emotional challenge before testing reinstated the negative impact of chronic stress on spatial memory performances between the groups, revealing that chronic stress/overtraining did not eliminate the spatial memory and differences caused by stressors can reemerge depending on the individual?s immediate psychological state. Contrary to spatial memory, cue-based memory was not affected in chronically stressed birds compared to control birds in any test occasion, confirming its resistance against the negative effects of chronic stress. Altogether these findings reveal a dynamic dialogue between stress, training level, and memory systems in birds.

    ano.nymous@ccsd.cnrs.fr.invalid (Flore Lormant) 23 Aug 2023

    https://hal.science/hal-03369464v1
  • [hal-02937496] Emotionality modulates the impact of chronic stress on memory and neurogenesis in birds

    Chronic stress is a strong modulator of cognitive processes, such as learning and memory. There is, however, great within-individual variation in how an animal perceives and reacts to stressors. These differences in coping with stress modulate the development of stress-induced memory alterations. The present study investigated whether and how chronic stress and individual emotionality interrelate and influence memory performances and brain neurogenesis in birds. For that, we used two lines of Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) with divergent emotionality levels. Highly (E+) and less (E−) emotional quail were submitted to chronic unpredictable stress (CUS) for 3 weeks and trained in a spatial task and a discrimination task, a form of cue-based memory. E + and E− birds were also used to assess the impact of CUS and emotionality on neurogenesis within the hippocampus and the striatum. CUS negatively impacted spatial memory, and cell proliferation, and survival in the hippocampus. High emotionality was associated with a decreased hippocampal neurogenesis. CUS improved discrimination performances and favored the differentiation of newborn cells into mature neurons in the striatum, specifically in E+ birds. Our results provide evidence that CUS consequences on memory and neural plasticity depends both on the memory system and individual differences in behavior.

    ano.nymous@ccsd.cnrs.fr.invalid (Flore Lormant) 14 Sep 2020

    https://hal.inrae.fr/hal-02937496v1
  • [hal-03536907] Effects of a temporary period on pasture on the welfare state of horses housed in individual boxes

    omesticated horses mainly live in individual boxes, a housing system reported as compromising animal welfare. A common practice in riding schools involves offering a temporary period on pasture with conspecifics to alleviate the impact of long-term deprivation triggered by boxes. The aim of this study was to assess the influence of this practice using four behavioural indicators reflecting a compromised welfare state: stereotypies; aggressive behaviours towards humans; the "withdrawn posture" reflecting unresponsiveness to the environment; and the "alert posture" indicating hypervigilance. A group of 31 horses was monitored before, during and after a period of 1.5 months on pasture (intra-group comparisons) and their behaviours were compared to those of 29 horses kept in individual boxes during the study (inter-group comparisons). On pasture, no stereotypies and aggressive behaviours towards humans were observed, and the occurrence of the "alert posture" decreased, although the results were not significant. An increase in the expression of natural behaviours such as locomotion, exploration and social behaviours was observed. However, the expression of the "withdrawn posture" increased during the first five days on pasture (Friedman: P<0.001; Wilcoxon signed-rank: P<0.001) before a decrease was observed after 20 days, returning to the level previously observed when horses were in boxes (Wilcoxon signed-rank: P<0.01). These results suggest that going out to pasture can positively influence the welfare state of horses, but also that several days of adaptation are needed, probably due to the novelty of the environmental and social conditions. The most noticeable result occurred when horses returned to individual boxes. A sharp increase in the occurrence of stereotypies (Cochran test: P<0.001; Chi(2) of homogeneity: P = 0.05), of the "withdrawn" (Friedman: P<0.001; Wilcoxon rank-sum: P<0.05) and the "alert" postures (Friedman: P<0.01; Wilcoxon rank-sum: P<0.001) was observed during the first five days of returning to confinement. The expression of the majority of natural behaviours immediately returned to the level observed during the pre-pasture period. After three months, the expression of the four welfare indicators was not different from that in the pre-pasture period. These results demonstrate that the beneficial effects likely to be induced by the pasture do not last when horses return to individual boxes and that the environmental change causes deleterious shortterm effects on the animals' welfare state. It would thus be recommended to keep domestic horses permanently on pasture when possible.

    ano.nymous@ccsd.cnrs.fr.invalid (Alice Ruet) 22 Aug 2022

    https://hal.inrae.fr/hal-03536907v1
  • [hal-02623360] Housing horses in individual boxes is a challenge with regard to welfare

    Horses are mainly housed in individual boxes. This housing system is reported to be highly detrimental with regard to welfare and could trigger the expression of four behavioural indicators of a compromised welfare state: stereotypies, aggressiveness toward humans, unresponsiveness to the environment, and stress-related behaviours. The aim of this study was to identify housing and management factors that could alleviate the detrimental effects of individual boxes on welfare. A total of 187 horses were observed over 50 days by scan sampling. The impact of 12 factors was investigated on the expression of the four behavioural indicators in three different analyses. The results show that the majority of factors tested did not influence the expression of the behavioural indicators. Only three (straw bedding, a window opening onto the external environment, and a reduced quantity of concentrated feed) would have beneficial, although limited, effects. Furthermore, the longer the horses spent in individual boxes, the more likely they were to express unresponsiveness to the environment. To preserve the welfare of horses, it seems necessary to allow free exercise, interactions with conspecifics, and fibre consumption as often as possible, to ensure the satisfaction of the species' behavioural and physiological needs.

    ano.nymous@ccsd.cnrs.fr.invalid (Alice Ruet) 26 May 2020

    https://hal.inrae.fr/hal-02623360v1
  • [hal-02437642] Horses prefer to solicit a person who previously observed a food-hiding process to access this food: A possible indication of attentional state attribution

    Inferring what others witnessed provides important benefits in social contexts, but evidence remains scarce in nonhuman animals. We investigated this ability in domestic horses by testing whether they could discriminate between two experimenters who differed in what they previously witnessed and decide whom to solicit when confronted with an unreachable food source based on that information. First, horses saw food being hidden in a closed bucket (impossible for them to open) in the presence of two experimenters who behaved identically but differed in their attention to the baiting process (the “witness” experimenter faced the bucket, the “non-witness” faced away). Horses were then let free with both experimenters, and their interest towards each (gaze and touch) was measured. They gazed at and touched the witness significantly more than the non-witness (n = 15, gaze: p = 0.004; touch: p = 0.003). These results might suggest that horses inferred the attentional state of the experimenters during the baiting process and used this information to adapt their later behavior. Although further study would be necessary to conclude, our study provides new insight into attentional state attribution in horses and might hint to the existence of precursors of a Theory of Mind in horses.

    ano.nymous@ccsd.cnrs.fr.invalid (Miléna Trösch) 25 Oct 2021

    https://hal.science/hal-02437642v1
  • [hal-02620929] Are there facial indicators of positive emotions in birds? A first exploration in Japanese quail

    The positive aspect of emotions, like pleasure, remains overlooked in birds. Our aim was to contribute to the exploration of facial indicators of positive emotions. To observe contrasting emotional expressions, we used two lines of Japanese quail divergently selected on their inherent fearfulness: a fearful line (long tonic immobility duration: LTI) and a less fearful line (short tonic immobility duration: STI). To induce positive emotions, we gave individual quail the opportunity to perform a rewarding behaviour, dustbathing, in an unfamiliar cage. More STI than LTI quail expressed dustbathing and latencies to dustbathe were significantly shorter in STI than LTI quail. This result indicated that the lines of quail differed in their fearfulness of the situation. We observed crown feather height, throat feather angle and pupil surface before (control) and during dustbathing. We found significant increases in crown feather height, pupil area and angle of throat feathers between the control and the dustbathing phases in STI quail, and pupil area correlated positively with crown feather height. In LTI quail, the angle of throat feathers increased during dustbathing, but the other parameters did not differ. We argue that variation in crown feather height and pupil area may provide indications of positive emotions in Japanese quail.

    ano.nymous@ccsd.cnrs.fr.invalid (Aline Bertin) 26 Jul 2023

    https://hal.inrae.fr/hal-02620929v1

Contact:

Julie Lemarchand
UMR Physiologie de la Reproduction & des Comportements
Centre INRAE Val-de-Loire
37380 Nouzilly
France

Tél: 33 (0)2 47 42 77 81

Courriel: julie.lemarchand@cnrs.fr

Date de modification : 07 février 2025 | Date de création : 04 juin 2019 | Rédaction : Fabien Cornilleau