Most female mammals have an estrous cycle in which they ovulate periodically. During the estrous cycle, ovarian follicles develop and blood levels of estrogen secreted by the developing follicles increase. This increased estrogen induces ovulation, promotes the proliferation of the endometrium to prepare for implantation of a fertilized egg, and induces sexual behavior by acting on the central nervous system. In addition, estrogen is known to have a wide range of effects, including effects on bone formation, central effects such as memory, and effects on the cardiovascular systems. This means that a wide range of cells are affected by estrogen, and these effects fluctuate during the estrous cycle. In our laboratory, we are investigating the factors and functions affected by estrogen during the estrous cycle, especially in tissues related to reproductive functions such as the pituitary gland and uterus. Oxytocin is a hormone secreted by the posterior pituitary gland and is involved in milk secretion and uterine contractions. Recently, its central effects, such as the ability to trust others more easily, have been attracting attention. Vitamin D is considered to be a hormone and is known to have many actions, just like estrogen. We are currently investigating the regulatory mechanisms of oxytocin receptor and vitamin D receptor expressions, which are involved in the expression of these hormones’ actions.

Our research group is interested in molecular mechanisms underlying neurotransmitter release from nerve cells. In the brain, nervous system function is founded on the transmission of information from one nerve cell to another at a unique and highly specialized structure, synapse. This information transfer at the synapse is mediated by chemical messengers called neurotransmitters, which are stored in small organelles called synaptic vesicles and exocytosed by fusion of synaptic vesicles with plasma membrane. To explore how neurons release transmitters, we combine molecular biological and electrophysiological techniques, especially focusing on protein-protein interactions. We are now trying to examine how the calcium signaling is converted into neurotransmitter release.

In order to realize more safe and more comfortable anesthesia for animals, we are working on research focusing on veterinary anaethesiology and veterinary perianesthesia nursing. In particular, we are actively pursuing studies on α2-adrenergic receptor agonists, which are often used for sedation and analgesia in veterinary medicine. So far we have published the paper regarding the influence of α2-adrenergic receptor agonists on tear production, intraocular pressure, and pupil size, the application to total intravenous anesthesia, and the sedative or anti-anxiety effects by ophthalmic adminstration.
In addition, we are conducting research in cooperation with veterinary nurses about the practice of veterinary perianesthesia nursing such as temperature management under anesthesia and management of anxiety before/after anesthesia.

I am working for epidemiological research on infectious diseases in animals, especially dirofilariasis and ectoparasite infections in dogs and cats, to aim at contribution to prevention. Furthermore, I am working for development of new drugs for animals. And I am also expanding the appropriate use of drugs in animals through pharmacoepidemiological research on usage survey, re-examination of efficacy and incidence of side effects of already-existing drugs.
Photos are a cat flea and a tick. Cat fleas are mundanely detected on dogs as well as cats, and also on humans in recent years in Japan. Ticks have gotten a lot of attention recently as vectors of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS). I am working for development of ectoparasiticides.

Mastication and swallowing are patterned movements that are essential for the vital activities of animals including humans. These movements require coordinated activity of orofacial muscles, and interneurons in the brainstem control the activity of motor neurons in the orofacial motor system. Among brainstem interneurons, we are focusing on cholinergic interneurons and studying their cell morphology, neural circuits, and neurotransmission. By elucidating the neural circuits between interneurons and motor neurons, we aim to gain knowledge that will lead to an understanding of orofacial movement disorders.
We are also studying the histology of the olfactory organ and its center, the olfactory bulb, of urodele amphibians. By comparing the olfactory system between urodelan species, we are investigating the relationship between the adaptation to water and land environments and the olfactory evolution.

The trematode, Paragonimus westermani is distributed widely throughout the Asia, and has been well-known as one of the important causative agents of helminthic zoonoses, I have been strongly interested in its taxonomy ,ecology and epidemiology and am conducting research work through a steady fieldwork. Especially in recent years, many peaple’s eyes are forcusing on the wild boar’s meat as a “gibier” in order to promote the development of local area. However, many juvenile worms of P. westermani sometimes harbor in the meat through ingesting the second intermediate host, the fresh water crab. Therefore, special attention must be paid to cook and/or preserve the meat. From the parasitological view point, I would like to play a part in risk management of game meats. Besides, I have been guiding the staffs of the national/private university’s laboratory animal facilities at their requests in the extermination of mouse/rat host-specific pinworms and/or protozoa, of which infections are of frequent occurence and do damage to experiment.

One out of two Japanese will be suffering malignant tumor in their lifetime, there to not be an exaggeration to say that national disease. Dogs and cats as well as humans suffer from malignant tumor. I am conducting research with the goal of applying it to the treatment of human malignancies as well as animal malignancies by treating and researching naturally occurring malignancies in animals.

The health effects of transboundary pollution such as Asian dust and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) have become a public health problem. We have focused on its constituents such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). We are also conducting research on the involvement of oxidative stress in exacerbation of symptoms of bronchial asthma caused by PAH using cultured cells.
The eldery are reported to be more susceptible to the psychiatric effects of earthquake. We are analyzing epidemiological surveys data on the psychiatrioc effects of the Noto Peninsula Earthquake (2007) on the elderly who lived in temporary housing or in areas where damage was severe.
We are investigating the relationship between parabens, which are contained as antibacterial agents in household goods such as shampoos and cosmetics, and allergic diseases. We reported on the association of parabens and allergic disease in population over 40 years of age and in infants. I am participating in a cohort study (lifestyle and health, etc.) that has been ongoing for more than 10 years in Noto, including this study.

Our laboratory has established a technique to examine the composition of the mammary flora by comprehensively analyzing the bacterial DNA (16S rRNA gene) contained in milk. Using this technology, we clarified that the relationship between SCC and mammary flora composition of healty cows (left figure). It has also become clear that there is a possible relationship between the composition of the mammary flora and the amount of the immune substance (lactoferrin) contained in milk (right figure). We are conducting research not only for the development of new treatments for bovine mastitis, but also for the application of new mastitis prevention methods using intramammary innate immunity.　　

Prospective veterinary medicine for farm animals should endeavor to augment productivity by incorporating strategies to combat production maladies, all the while actively contributing to the prevention and containment of infectious diseases. Through a focused emphasis on theriogenology and herd health management, our aim is to undertake research endeavors that elucidate the etiology, mechanisms, and pathogenesis of diseases in both individual animals and populations, with the overarching objective of advancing diagnostic and therapeutic methodologies.

In recent years, the importance of skincare in veterinary medicine has become widely recognized. However, it is known that the epidermis of dogs is much thinner compared to humans. As a result, it remains uncertain whether applying the same skincare practices as humans is appropriate for dogs. In our research laboratory, we are conducting studies on various factors that regulate skin barrier and skin immunity using Beagle dogs and cultured cells. Our goal is to apply the research findings to the field of veterinary clinical practice.

Despite being primarily developed for industrial purposes and not intended for direct human consumption, many chemical substances still come into contact with the human body and organisms in the environment through various pathways, such as water, air, and other environmental factors. Ensuring a safe and secure society requires a thorough evaluation of the toxicity of pharmaceuticals and chemical substances.
In our laboratory, we conduct research on the toxicity of chemical substances through comprehensive gene expression analysis and obtain omics data to elucidate the molecular-level mechanisms, a field known as toxicogenomics. In addition to utilizing omics technology for understanding the inter-organ coordination of energy metabolism in vivo, our research also focuses on elucidating pathological processes in both humans and dogs.

We mainly conduct research related to environmental health. We are working on microorganisms, viruses, contaminants, etc. that exist in water and soil. We also aim to search for useful microorganisms that can contribute to solving environmental problems. We also conduct research using epidemiological and informatic methods.

Changes in the global environments have increased incidence of infectious diseases. Most of these diseases are zoonoses which are transmitted from animals to humans. It is an urgent task to control and prevent of zoonotic disease outbreaks. However, it is not simple and straightforward, since the natural reservoir animals and the transmission routes of the causative agents are not elucidate in all zoonoses. From a glocal perspective, the objective of this project is to forestalling outbreaks of zoonotic infection on the basis of epidemiological investigations in Shikoku.
Host specificity of infectious agents are interested because the mechanism is different for each infectious agent. Adenoviruses are believed to be co-evolved with their specific hosts, and usually infect one particular or several, closely related host species. However, certain bat　adenoviruses exhibited a broad range of in vitro cell tropism. We try to elucidate its host-range determinants.

For neruvous system to function properly, each component cell must be produced in adequate numbers, placed in the correct position, and correctly networked with each other. Any failure in any of these processes can impair neurological function and cause neurological and psychiatric disorders. Through the generation and analysis of animal models of neurological and psychiatric disorders, I am working to elucidate the pathogenesis of these diseases and to understand the fundamental mechanisms underlying the development of neural tissue, especially the process of neural network formation.

Mastitis is the most devastating economic burden in dairy farms. We have studied the epidemiology of acute mastitis caused by coliforms, the relationship between clinical symptoms and cytokines and acute phase proteins, and the relationship between symptoms and prognosis, and found a link. In addition, in the treatment of mastitis, it was found that the application of a lotion with antibacterial activity (Ceramella) to the inflamed udder, in addition to conventional antibiotic treatment, decreases breast induration and somatic cell count. Studies have shown that the shorter the milk is cultured, the more causative organisms are detected in bacteriological tests of milk. As for prevention of mastitis, administration of a leptospirosis vaccine has been shown to reduce clinical forms of mastitis. It was also found that the severity of symptoms of acute mastitis caused by Escherichia coli was related to the level of ionized calcium in the blood at the time of initial examination. We are studying prevention, treatment, and prognosis of mastitis in dairy cows. It was found that there is a relationship between blood physiological changes in dairy cows in response to climatic changes and stress. Based on the results of this research, we would like to further our research on improving milk productivity.

Recently, cancer is a major cause of death in companion animals, which leads to a strong need for more advanced and personalized oncological care. At the same time, naturally occuring cancers in genetically heterogenous companions animals draw significant attention in oncological research to untangle the comlexed mechanism of carcinogenesis in mammals. I have been working on carcinogenesis and malignant progression of cancer using traditional molecular biological approaches and advanced next-generation analyses including bioinformatics. I am also interested in veterinary oncologycal surgery and perioperative care.

Since the Human Genome Project completed sequencing the 3 billion bps that make up human DNA, it became clear not only that we are able to read nature’s complete genetic blueprint, but also that the information stored in the sequence of the DNA is not enough per se to completely explain development, physiology and disease. The field dedicated to decipher the heritable features that complements the genetic information stored in the DNA sequence is termed “epigenetics”.
Epigenetic regulation provide a possible link between the environment and long term alterations in gene function that might lead to disease phenotypes. Most diseases are related in some way to the loss or gain in gene functions. To reveal the cause and mechanism of chronic disease (e.g. diabetase and hypertention), we mainly focus on the interaction between nutritional condition and epigenetic alteration.

To provide sophisticated treatments as seen in human medicine to animal patients, I have strived to conduct researches in the medical institutions of orthopedic surgery.
First, clinical orthopedic researches are ongoing. The clinical image is an example of bone reconstructive surgery after removal of malignant bone sarcoma. Thus, human surgical techniques are applicable to animal patients.
Second, in musculoskeletal tumor field, the multidisciplinary treatments including particle radiation and a novel target therapy for hard-to-treat cancers are ongoing in cooperation with National Cancer Center, Ehime University Orthopedic Surgery, Hyogo Ion Beam Medical Center and Karmanos Cancer Institute. The results can contribute to the animal patients of musculoskeletal tumors with no choice of therapy.
Third, translational researches are also ongoing. The analysis of microenvironment have been complicated because millions of molecular interactions are possible. Hence, using bioinformatics technologies, a software has been constructed to visualize these numerous interactions.

Due to improvements in breeding methods and advances in veterinary medicine, the average lifespan of pets has increased dramatically. Unlike humans, animals often do not show their illness even when they are sick, and by the time they notice it, it often progresses and is difficult to treat. Advanced diagnostic imaging such as CT and MRI and various “cancer markers” are used in human medicine, but there are no “cancer markers” that can be used in veterinary medicine, and advanced diagnostic imaging requires high cost and general anesthesia. If there is a disease marker that accurately reflects the pathology of “cancer”, it will be possible for owners and patient animals to avoid the burden of anesthesia and examination, and to objectively judge the need for continuous treatment. Therefore, in recent years, we have focused on a technology called liquid biopsy, which has been attracting attention in medicine, to detect genes circulating in the blood, and we are researching its application to pet cancer. Specifically, we are investigating the usefulness of tumor pathological evaluation and diagnostic markers by measuring the amount of genes released from the tumor itself and detecting specific mutations.