This system features radiant heat applied on the animal's tail; when the animal feels discomfort, it reacts by a sudden tail's movement (tail flick) which automatically stops the stimulation and the timer for the measurement of the animal reaction time (period from the beginning of the stimulation until detection of the animal's response).

This test has proved particularly sensitive for studying the analgesic properties of pharmacological substances. It can also be used to evaluate basal thermal pain sensitivity or to study putative genetic differences among animals without drug ('naïve').

The LE7106 Tail-flick Meter consists of a Stimulation Unit (containing the halogen lamp for the heat stimulus) and an electronic Control Unit. The system can be used for rats and mice of different sizes. The animals are placed with its tail protruding within a restraining tube on the platform of the Stimulus Unit. The animal's tail is positioned on a slot of adjustable width equipped with a groove that guarantees a correct placement. A remote foot-switch controls the test start/stop allowing rapid hands-free experiments.

A photo beam with adjustable sensitivity detects the tail flick and the latency is automatically presented on a digital display on the Control Unit. Measurements of reaction time are given with a 0.1 precision. A cut-off time can be set to avoid tissue damage (by default: 20 s). The groove system for the tail and the adjustment of response sensitivity ensure optimum repeatability and reliability of results.

SeDacom software supplied with the unit can be used to automatically record the results on a PC through a RS-232 port.

Citations
Andriambeloson E et al. (2006) Interleukin-6 attenuates the development of experimental diabetes-related neuropathy. Neuropathology. 26(1): 32-42. (rat, France)
Cendán CM et al. (2005) Antinociceptive effects of haloperidol and its metabolites in the formalin test in mice. Psychopharmacol. 182(4): 485-493. (mouse. Spain)
Grillet N et al. (2005) Generation and characterization of Rgs4 mutant mice. Mol. Cell. Biol. 25(10): 4221-4228. (mouse, France)
Moncada A et al. (2005) Inhibitors of serine/threonine protein phosphatases antagonize the antinociception induced by agonists of alpha 2 adrenoceptors and GABAB but not kappa-opioid receptors in the tail flick test in mice. Pain 114(1-2): 212-220. (mouse, Spain)