Projects / Programmes
Endocrine,immune,nervous and enzyme responses in healty and sick animals
January 1, 2014
- December 31, 2018
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 4.04.00 |
Biotechnical sciences |
Veterinarian medicine |
|
| 4.04.01 |
Biotechnical sciences |
Veterinarian medicine |
Morphology, physiology and animal reproduction |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| B210 |
Biomedical sciences |
Histology, cytochemistry, histochemistry, tissue culture |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| 4.03 |
Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences |
Veterinary science |
Researchers (51)
Organisations (1)
Abstract
The aim of the research program »Endocrine, immune and enzyme responses in healthy and sick animals« is to provide basic knowledge on host response during physiologic, experimental and pathologic conditions from the cell to the whole body level. The ultimate goal is to implement this knowledge in development of novel diagnostic, prognostic and treatment protocols and methods.
Clinical periodontology studies suggest individual variations in systemic host response, and possible causes for the differences observed will be studied to provide individually-tailored approach to these patients. Further studies on the dynamic of changes in antioxidant stress markers during health and disease will evaluate the effect of antioxidant food supplements. Inflammatory and antioxidant stress markers will be assessed as markers of progression of cardiovascular diseases in dogs. Volume and ionic balance in the pulmonary circulation of horses will also be studied.
Lipid mobilisation syndrome during period of negative energy balance after parturition in dairy cows, developmental potential of oocytes and functionality of bull spermatozoa will be related to the metabolic and oxidative stress induced by seasonal heat, as genetic selection for high milk yield decreases the thermoregulatory ability in animals. Improvement of semen preservation technology and identification of new biomarkers for prediction of semen quality after storage will lead to improved fertility outcome of domestic animals. Studies will also include the evaluation of antiectoparasitics in chronic stress prevention in grazing animals and the dynamics of steroid hormone release in milk and their intestinal absorption. Comparative morphology and genetic analyses of porcine skeletal muscles will be employed to assess biological characteristics of muscles in relation to the meat quality and processing suitability for selected meat products. Genetic predisposition to certain diseases will also be studied.
The mechanism of action of natural and synthetic molecules, which have anticholinesterase activity or specifically block nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, will be evaluated in vitro and in vivo and their preclinical potential assessed. Sexual differentiation studies will include evaluation of sexual dimorphism and the effect of sex hormones in combination with stress exposure on brain development/function. In the field of membrane receptors research will be focused on gender-specific differences in the activation of secondary messenger system and possible involvement of distinct arrestins.
Electrogene therapy will be further employed in a clinical setting, providing important data in translational oncology. The research will be expanded to study immune mechanisms involved in tumor progression and to evaluate the potential for novel immunotherapy approaches. Extensive studies will also be performed in the field of stem cell use.
Significance for science
The main scope of the research group is to carry out cutting-edge basic research that is fundamental for the advancement of science and for planning/performing the applied research. The results obtained contribute to the advancement of veterinary medicine and biomedical field. They are also successfully implemented into daily clinical use i.e. optimization/development of diagnostic and prognostic markers as well as therapeutic methods and agents. In view of reduction of experimental animals use, evaluation and use of animal models of naturally occurring diseases (clinical cases) is of utmost importance. This data are also of great value in comparative medicine.
Contemporary state of the research topics enable us to participate in the international research projects, scientific networks with top scientists and research institutions as well as leading pharmaceutical companies. The results of successful international collaboration are high-profile joint publications, organization of international scientific meetings, the ability to translate basic science into practice and the possibility to exchange postgraduate students.
Significance for the country
High quality research published in major international scientific journals and presented at the international scientific and professional meetings contributes to the advancement of veterinary profession and promotion of Slovenia. Members of the research program group are involved in the university graduate and postgraduate study programs as professors and supervisors of PhD and graduate students. In this way, they contribute to the quality and improvement of the teaching process and to the popularization of research work among graduate students. Research program group has also the ability to implement science into clinical practice as evident from the number of applied projects that take place outside the funding scheme of Slovenia Research Agency i.e. implementation of target research and development projects and regulated tasks for the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food and other contract work for customers, particularly in the area of reproduction of domestic animals. Improvement of existing or development of new diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic approaches increase the competitiveness of our clinical services and contribute to animal welfare. Development of novel diagnostic methods and biotechnology protocols has the potential of patent proposals. Data about factors influencing perioperative complications development can be used in development of new protocols for inpatients care that can benefit veterinary as well as human patients.
Knowledge obtained can also serve as basis for guidelines preparation on animal selection towards specific genotypes, that can be used in breeding programs and action plans in case of disease breakout (e.g. transmissible spongiform encephalopathies). Similarly, data on biologic characteristics of porcine muscle fibers, and specifically heavy miosyn chain-based hyperthrophy potential of muscle fibers that affect meat quality, may be used to better plan breeding programs towards selected breeds of pigs that can be raised for specific purposes. This may prove the autochthonous pig breed “krškopoljski prašič” to be of superior quality for selected purposes. Additionally, such breed selection is important in raising public awareness about autochthonous breeds and environment protection.
Most important scientific results
Annual report
2014,
2015,
final report
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Annual report
2014,
2015,
final report
