Faculty of Veterinary Medicine

Research Activities at the Faculty

Since 1923 the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine has been part of the University of Leipzig. This has contributed significantly to the development of this subject with regard to both, veterinary education as well as scientific research. Being part of the university also determines the standard, the direction and the goals in these areas. It has to be kept in mind, however, that veterinary medicine continues to be highly profession-orientated. Therefore, changes and new trends in all fields will have impact on veterinary education as well as research. Furthermore, with regard to the results obtained in research, the benefits for practical application as well as for education always have to be taken into consideration.

The focus of research at the faculty is on the following areas:

1. Consumer health protection
2. Preventive veterinary medicine
3. Clinical veterinary medicine

Research in these areas is of main interest for individual institutes and clinics; generally, however, research is executed in a close cooperation with other institutions of the faculty. These connections have led to an initiative headed by the Institute of Virology to obtain funds from the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) for a graduate school "Preventive Veterinary Medicine: Control of persisting Infections". Furthermore, there are cooperations with a number of other institutions at both, a national and an international level.

Basic sciences

Basic sciences are in the focus of research at several institutes, with the cooperation mentioned above playing a major role. At the Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology growth of domestic animals is investigated in the working group "Anatomy". The aim of a study entitled "Therapy of experimentally induced stroke in sheep" is the development of a large animal model for focal cerebral ischemia (stroke) in order to allow the evaluation of therapeutic effects of stem cells. In the working group "Histology and Embryology", modification of glia neuron interaction in the mammalian retina as well as degeneration and regeneration in the mammalian retina are investigated. A close relationship to infectious diseases exists in studies entitled "BDV-infection. A model to study inflammatory induced modulation in the central nervous system". Interdisciplinary studies focus on the development of a system to identify tissue of the central nervous system in meat and preserved meat, drug targeting with nano beads against experimentally induced b-amyloid plaques and pathological phosphorylized tau protein in the brain of rabbits and transgenic mice with human b-amyloid precursor protein, and the valuation of monoclonal antibodies against the C-terminal epitope of the prion protein. Parts of these studies are supported by the DFG, BMBF, the Freestate of Saxony, and other institutions.

At the Institute of Physiology a main topic of research activities is gastrointestinal physiology. The involved epithelial permeation processes are characterized on a functional, structural and immunhistochemical level. In the recent years, above all the absorption of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA: acetate, propionate, butyrate) from the forestomach of ruminants was studied. These absorptive processes are unique since no appropriate models can be derived from studies in men and laboratory animals. The elucidation of SCFA absorption is accompanied by studies on the transepithelial permeation of toxic products and electrolytes.

Besides determining basic principles of nutrient absorption, regulatory influences are looked upon. Among the regulatory inputs, the enteric nervous system (ENS) is studied in more detail. So far, in vitro and in vivo studies on the absorptive processes and the ENS were mainly conducted in sheep, cattle, swine and partly wild ruminants. The studies were continuously supported by the German research foundation (DFG), various funds and industrial sponsors.

We are cooperating with groups in Denmark (Research Centre Foulum, Tjele), Hungary (University of Veterinary Sciences, Budapest), France (INSERM, Nantes), the USA (Michigan State University, Anthony Hall, East Lansing) and the United Kingdom (Sandwich Laboratories Pfizer Ltd., Animal Health Group VMRD Biology).

At the Institute of Physiological Chemistry an area of interest is the examination of the role of fatty acids and antioxidants for the prophylaxis and therapy of diseases of domestic animals. Investigations on the influence of the lipid composition on the oxidative metabolism of macrophages are the focal point. Another subject is the pathobiochemistry of canine atopic dermatitis. The focus is the influence of fatty acids and vitamin E on the development and release of inflammatory mediators of mast cells. Furthermore, the influence of mast cell membrane composition changed by dietary lipids and vitamin E on the release and development of inflammatory effective mediators is examined.
Investigations on the ozone treatment of hatching eggs to diminish salmonella burden have reference to infection medicine and to consumer health protection.

In the working area "Endocrinology" investigations on physiology and pathology of the endocrine system are carried out. Hormones are involved in all vital processes of the body. For example, changes of the inviroment can have direct effects on individuals. In an EU-funded project (Funding: EUPEA-project) the influence of stress throughout pregnancy has been investigated by endocrine, behavioural, anthropometric and neurological parameters of the mothers and the off-springs (F1- and F2-generation). Also the influence of glucocorticoids on epigenesis will be analysed. How the endocrine situation can be influenced by co-housing or re-housing of wild animals is another project in cooperation with the zoos in Leipzig and Halle (funded by Freundeskreis Zoo Leipzig). Sudden changes of the metabolism, like parturition or lactation, will be analysed in the cow as a cooperative project with the Large Animal Clinic for Internal Medicine. The survival of species is dependent on successful reproduction, which can be disturbed for example by implantation failure. Many factors are involved in this process, which are still poorly understood. Therefore, the aim of this DFG-funded project is to examine the factors involved in the process of implantation and how these factors can act in concert together. Implantation requires specific tissue remodelling with fine-tuned invasion, angiogenesis and proliferation. Similar mechanisms are also present throughout tumorgenesis. Comparable examination of both processes is appropriate for a better understanding of this intracellular mechanism. In cooperation with the Department of Small Animal Medicine in Leipzig and the Clinic for Internal Medicine in Göttingen tumorgenesis as well as prognosis for breast cancer are examined by using cell lines and animal models, like Balb-neuT-mice and dogs (funded by Gesellschaft zur Förderung Kynologischer Forschung e.V.).

Endometriosis is not only a painful chronic disease, but also one of the most common causes of infertility, affecting more than 10% of premenopausal women. In this study, the marmoset monkey (Callithrix jacchus), which is a non-menstruating primate with high circulating estrogen levels, was used to test firstly the hypothesis that endometriosis is based on uterine shedding into the peritoneal cavity, secondly to study the pathogenesis of endometriosis due to its estrogenic situation (financial support: Firma Solvay).

Comparative studies on diagnosis, pathogenesis, aetiology and prognosis of reproductive disorders in the female and male (especially in the horse), are actual topics of research in the Institute of Veterinary Pathology. These projects are based on interdisciplinary and international cooperation with clinical and paraclinical partners. Emphasis of investigation lies on the pathology of placenta (mare, cow, bitch) as well as degenerative uterine diseases (endometrosis, angiopathies), endocrine disorders (endometrial maldifferentiation) and neoplasia (ovarian tumors) are investigated. Convential histological methods, immunohistochemistry and electronmicroscopy and in vitro techniques (cell cultures) are diagnostic tools, used in these studies. Furthermore, morphological-functional investigations are focussed on the interactions of endocrine active neoplastic and not-neoplastic diseases of the thyreoidea, pituitary gland, adrenal glands, testes and ovaries concerning the hormonal axis and their target organs. Another main point of research are the spontaneous cardiovascular diseases in dogs and cats, correlated with clinical findings. Additionally, an interdisciplinary cooperation with the Herzzentrum Leipzig intends to establish and to evaluate animal models for diagnosis and therapy of cardiovascular diseases in humans. Herein studies in transplantation medicine and stem cell research are at the centre of attention. Furthermore, the comparative pathology of age related deficiency of hearing in dogs, cats and horses is investigated in cooperation with clinical partners.

At the Institute of Animal Nutrition, Nutrition Diseases and Dietetics research is currently performed on the nutrition of farm animals, companion animals and laboratory animals, with special emphasis on the effects of different energy sources, praebiotics and probiotics as well as alternative growth promoters. Conventional in vivo experiments and in vitro investigations are performed and the latter in part newly established. For in vivo studies in equines, a new method to determine the chewing activity electronically is developed. Other projects deal with the microscopic determination of humic acid particles in various tissues of quails and pigs, dietetic aspects in feeding horses with polysaccharide storage myopathy, the early postpartal regulation of calcium homeostasis in mares, effects of high amounts of dietary tyrosine in horses, and the concentrations of antibodies and selected nutrients in the colostrum of different species. The projects are carried out in co-operation with scientific institutions at the universities in Munich, Rostock and Cracow, the Justus-von-Liebig-School Hanover and the Institute of Grain Processing in Berlin. The scientific work is financed by grants of public service institutions or industry.

Infectious diseases

Research in the field of infectious diseases is in close relation to the area of preventive veterinary medicine. In 2004, the Institute of Bacteriology and Mycology, the Institute for Virology, the Institute for Parasitology, and the Institute of Immunology decided to form a Joint Venture Infectious Diseases.

At the Institute for Bacteriology and Mycology the main research areas are the analyses of the gastro-intestinal flora by means of conventional and molecular-biological methods, their interaction with the immune system and metabolism in farm and domestic animals as well as fish. The gastrointestinal tract is the largest contact area of the body to the outside. It is limited by microbial, cellular, immunological and nervous barriers. Its stability is a precondition for health and performance. The characterization and influence of the microbial and immunological barriers in health and disease are the main field of research. The Clostridium botulinum dependent acute and chronic intoxications in high-yielding cattle are the main focus of investigations. Based on bacteriological and immunological investigations as to the occurrence of Clostridium botulinum and its toxins in the animal body information should be gathered on the interaction of the commensal flora, the unspecific and specific immune system in case of sickness. In order to characterize the microbiota conventional and molecular-biological methods (FISH) have been applied. The quantification of C. botulinum agents has been realised by toxin enrichments and the following detection of toxins by specific antitoxic antibodies. To detect the immunological reaction of the animals to the gastrointestinal flora unspecific (CRP, haptoglobin, lactoferin) and specific parameters (anti-LPS-, anti-PLC-, anti-C. botulinum-supernatant antibodies) have been investigated. The C. botulinum isolates are characterized by conventional methods (biochemistry, gaschromatography) and MALDI-TOF. With the investigation of substrates from animals and their environment (liquid manure, dung, soil, biowaste) from different farms and the surroundings we try to gather information about the cycle of toxin producing C. botulinum as well as well its quantity in the surroundings and to find potential sources of these agents. The project is financed by the Sächsische Landesanstalt für Landwirtschaft.

The focus of research at the Institute for Virology is on basic science, applied science and diagnostics in the field of animal viruses and viral infections of animals. By the application of modern techniques of molecular biology, aspects of the pathogenesis of virus diseases are investigated, using DNA as well as RNA viruses as models, among others, polyomavirus, circovirus, infectious bursal disease virus, and Borna disease virus. On the one side, these viruses exhibit uncommon morphological and biological characteristics; on the other side, they are the causative agents of economic loss, mainly to the poultry industry, or they may not only cause disease in animals, but also in humans. The aims of these investigations are to elucidate the molecular basis for the uncommon host and cell tropism of these viruses at the level of adsorption to and entry into susceptible cells as well as virus replication, and to identify virulence markers. In order to fight against economically important virus infections, virus vaccines and diagnostic tools are developed by the application of the techniques of molecular biology. The efficiencies of conventional diagnostic protocols are compared to those applying the techniques of molecular biology, particularly with regard to sensitivity and specificity. It is the intention to make suitable protocols and reagents commercially available. Research is funded by grants from the DFG, various state or country ministries, the European Commission, and industrial partners. International cooperation has been established within the framework of several EU projects. The Institute is part of the Joint Venture Infectious Diseases at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. Research groups of the Institute are members of the Centre for Biotechnology and Biomedicine (BBZ) at Leipzig University.

At the Institute for Parasitology research projects on protozoa, helminths and arthropods are currently performed. Traditional and modern methods such as cell biology, computer-assisted image analysis, as well as molecular techniques are applied and developed further, or will be newly established. Cooperative projects with public service institutions or companies aim at the analysis of current epidemiological aspects and the development of strategic control measures including the inactivation of infectious parasite stages in the environment and biological control. The main emphasis is placed on protozoa belonging to the coccidia (genera eimeria, isospora, cryptosporidium, sarcocystis). Coccidia inhabiting the intestine may cause severe disease and considerable economic losses in livestock farming. In addition to this cryptosporidia are of zoonotic impact. Genotyping and a quantitative vitality assay for cryptosporidium oocysts based on real time PCR are currently established. In cooperation with research groups at the University of Gießen and the University of Hohenheim sarcocystis miescheriana is applied as a model for QTL gene mapping of disease resistance in pig breeds. This project is funded by a grant from the DFG.

The major research interest at the Institute of Immunology is in the area of immunity against bacterial and fungal pathogens. In mouse models of the infection with salmonella enteritidis and cryptococcus neoformans the function of novel members of the interleukin-12 family is studied. This project is funded by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) and done in collaboration with institutes and clinics of the Medical and Veterinary Faculty of the University of Leipzig, Westfälische Wilhelms-University, University of Cape Town, South Africa and DNAX Research Institute, Schering Plough, USA. In another project funded by the DFG the role of interleukin-4 and of interleukin-13 in immunity to cryptococcus neoformans using complete and macrophage-specific gene-deficient mice is studied. The BBZ Junior Research Group "Molecular medicine of infectious diseases", focuses on molecular mechanisms of persistence and immune modulation of the borrelia species (in collaboration with the College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, USA, with the Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel, with Merial GmbH, and IDEXX Laboratories, Inc.). In addition, this group investigates Borrelia burgdorferi specific antibody levels in dogs receiving vaccines according to the standard or to an alternative immunization regimen (collaboration with the Clinic for Small Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Leipzig). The BBZ-group "Molecular Pathogenesis" is engaged in the establishment and characterization of transgenic mouse models to study the effects of Transforming Growth Factor-beta (TGF-beta) and Granulocyte/Macrophage-Colony Stimulating Factor (GM-CSF) in infections with cryptococcus neoformans and borrelia burgdorferi. In a DFG funded project target genes for TGF-beta and GM-CSF are being identified during cutaneous wound healing in order to develop diagnostic or therapeutic tools. In addition, phosphorylated protein targets of TGF-beta are being identified in an arthritis model in a project funded by the EU and the state of Saxony.

Research at the Institute for Animal Hygiene and Veterinary Public Health and at the Institute for Food Hygiene is in the field of Veterinary Public Health. Current research at the Institute for Animal Hygiene and Veterinary Public Health covers the three main topics animal welfare/ethology, microbiology/virology, and analytical chemistry. Projects focus on investigation of the current epidemiological situation of various infectious diseases, on the development of prophylactic measures (immuno-prophylaxis and hygienic management) against such infections, on the development of new analytical procedures, and on the assessment of established and new animal housing systems. These projects examine the genetic variability of porcine parvovirus, with respect to an improvement of vaccination, the functional analysis of virulence factors of salmonellae, the analysis of different vaccination strategies against salmonellae, and the assessment of new housing systems for laying hens, and are funded by the industry. A joint research project with the Institute of Food Hygiene focuses on the development of new GC-MS procedures for the detection of specified risk material (TSE) in meat, meat products, and meat-and-bone meal. This project is funded by the Bundesministerium für Ernährung, Landwirtschaft und Verbraucherschutz. Other projects investigate the current epidemiological situations of infections of breeding dogs with canine herpes virus and minute virus of canines. Furthermore, studies on the etiology of prototheca in mastitis in cattle and prototheca taxonomy as well as the validation of alternative test methods for disinfectant testing are currently performed.

At the Institute of Food Hygiene (Professorship of Food Hygiene and Consumer Protection) the main research areas are studies on the possibilities to reduce the occurrence of different zoonotic bacteria and parasites, on the prevalence and on survival strategies of these pathogens. The work is focused on salmonella enteritidis, campylobacter jejunii and toxoplasma gondii. The aim of the project supported by the BMWA is, to develop an innovative method to reduce salmonella enteritidis in eggs by using ozone. In the field of milk hygiene the quality of organic milk and milk products focusing the prevalence of zoonotic bacteria are investigated (supported by Hanns-Seidel-Stiftung). The Professorship of Meat Hygiene deals with different detection methods of specified risk materials in meat products and in animal feeds with regard to the transmissible spongioform encephalopathies (supported by the Bundesministerium für Ernährung, Landwirtschaft und Verbraucherschutz).

Clinical Veterinary Medicine

Research in the field of Clinical Veterinary Medicine is performed at various clinics and institutes of the faculty, frequently in close cooperation with other institutions, at both, a national and an international level.

At the Institute of Pharmacology, Pharmacy and Toxicology the pathophysiological importance of adrenergic and muscarinic receptors in the equine chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is investigated in collaboration with Herzzentrum Leipzig, and the Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Halle-Wittenberg. It is supposed that dysregulation of the neurohumoral receptor control (with adrenergic and muscarinic acetylcholine receptors) might play a role in the pathogenesis of this disease. The study should provide important information as to the pathogenesis of the disease and thus the rationale for therapeutic strategies for equine COPD. Other research objectives focus on the establishment of more effective strategies for tumour therapy and the development of in vitro cell culture systems with liver-specific features for the replacement of experiments with animals. In this context different carrier systems from liver and kidneys were characterized which are able to mediate the transport of drugs; their regulation by xenobiotics is investigated in order to identify drug interactions (supported by DFG). By fusion of primary rat hepatocytes with rat liver tumour cells and viral immortalization of human hepatocytes, cell lines were established with liver-specific functions. These cell lines should replace in vivo models (grant by Bundesinstitut für Risikoforschung).

The Department of Small Animal Medicine represents the classical clinical branches of internal medicine, surgery and reproduction focused on small animals. Scientific projects in all these three fields are currently in progress. There are mainly clinical projects, parts of them substantiated by basic research. Biomechanics of large joints of dogs are the main subject of the surgical research programmes. There are co-operations with the Universities of Zurich and Munich, the Academic Medical Centre in Amsterdam, and the Centre of Orthopaedic and Biomechanical Research, Boise State University (USA) working on topics about the correlation of subchondral bone density and thickness, the estimation of the three-dimensional location of endoprosthesis in bone and three-dimensional kinematics of the stifle and elbow joints of dogs under simulated movements and surgical conditions. Parallel there are investigations on the brachycephalic syndrome in dogs and cats: The growing popularity of brachycephalic breeds leads to an increasing relevance regarding animals protection concerning dyspnoea related to this syndrome. The aetiology of the brachycephalic syndrome is nearly unknown. In cooperation with the universities of Berlin and Zurich we are working on basic questions about the morphology and therapy concepts of affected animals (microlaryngoscopic and video-supported endonasal laser surgery). The usefulness of morphometric and functional screening methods are also investigated.

Anaesthesiology: The anaesthetic risk in dogs and cats is with about 1 death per 1.000 general anaesthesias much higher than in humans (1:100.000). The goal of our research in anaesthesia is to find the causes and to develop concepts for reduction of the high anaesthetic risk. Currently the usefulness of different preoperative screening methods is investigated. Among others the focuses of diagnostic imaging are the evaluation of new, computer supported methods of imaging and image analyses (digital projection radiography, high-speed CT, digital ultrasound) for selected veterinary medical questions and the evaluation of actual contrast media protocols for plain radiography, MRI and ultrasound. The use of three-dimensional imaging and navigation technique in small animals is investigated in conjunction with surgical and neurosurgical questions.
Oncology: In cooperation with human clinics of the University of Leipzig and specialized private clinics projects about fractionated intracavitary high-dose brachytherapy are implemented. The postoperative radiotherapy of neoplasias is investigated in form of a multimodality therapy. In conjunction with gynaecologic subjects the diagnosis and prognosis of mammary cancer in the bitch are investigated under inclusion of tumour associated pathogenic mechanisms and sonographic criteria of dignity. The neurologic research concentrates on diagnostics and therapies of intracranial lesions. There are close interactions to our projects in diagnostic imaging, oncology and surgery (e.g., stereotactic guided brain biopsies).

In ophthalmology we are concentrating on questions about the health of the eyes and heredity of ophthalmic diseases in captive wild animals. Within the scope of the preservation of endangered species, breeding programmes gain importance in zoological gardens and the Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
Clinic for birds and reptiles: A main research focus is the examination of the usability of modern imaging techniques like ultrasonography, magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography in pet and wild birds as well as reptiles. The aim is to establish appropriate investigation protocols and reference parameters in healthy animals and to gain experiences about the use in diseased animals. A project funded by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft is engaged in the examination of cardiac diseases in birds, focused on the therapy of cardiac diseases. Concerning poultry, several funded projects are ongoing, e.g. the investigation of the frequency of the occurrence of mycoplasms and, in close cooperation with the Institute for Virology, metapneumoviruses in laying hens in different systems of husbandry. Further research points of the institution are investigations of the bioavailability and compatibility of different anti-infective drugs in poultry and pet birds. In addition the young pigeon disease syndrome and the influence of husbandry and breeding on the animal health in pet birds and poultry are examined.

Clinical research in the field of large animals

Clinical research in the field of large animals is represented by the classical clinical branches of Internal Medicine, Surgery and Theriogenology.
At the Large Animal Clinic for Internal Medicine the aim is the declaration of the causes of colic in horses. One of the most important causes of colic is gastric ulceration, which has been investigated in a research project. The hydrochloric acid secretion of the stomach is depending on the feeding stuff, which has been taken in. The longer and the more hydrochloric acid is being secreted it affects changes of the mucosa. The result is an erosion and/or ulcer, which is recorded endoscopically; the form of inflammation is to be characterised microscopically. A 24 hours pH-measurement while feeding different feeding stuff, is effected by a intragastrale pH-electrode. Biopsies of the mucosa, which are removed at the end of the feeding period, allow us to characterise the extent and the form of the inflammation of the mucosa which could be named as gastritis like in human medicine.

Research on ruminants focuses on the following: stabilisation of health during the peripartale period, examination of lipid mobilisation syndrome, ketosis, dislocatio abomasi, antioxidative status, reperfusion injuries, mycotoxin screening of the gall and milk of cows, immunological capacity as an indicator for the state of exposure of the dairy cows.

Medicine in pigs: The antioxidative status is examined on breeding pigs with mastitis-metritis-agalacty-complex. These and more projects will be conducted in the context of funds.

Forensic veterinary medicine: The right of buying animals (Viehkaufrecht) of BGB, especially the reform of the Law of Obligations was adjusted on January 1, 2002. The right of buying animals of BGB §§ 482 to 492, and in particular the main fault of § 482 described in the emperor's decree of 1899 (Kaiserliche Verordnung), has been adjusted due to the change of the law of obligation dated January 1, 2002. Also, the right of buying horses connected with the veterinary inspection on purchase is part of the state of agreement according to § 434 chapter 1 S 1 BGB. The legal foundation of § 434 BGB is relevant for the purchase of a horse. The veterinary executes an indispensable declaration on the health status of a horse which is to be sold. The examination of the horse is effected according to standard rules whereas the customer decides on the complexity of the exam.
At the Large Animal Clinic for Surgery minimal invasive ultrasound and transcutaneous ultrasound techniques in the bovine and equine abdomen are compared. Respiratory and blood gas parameters during thoracoscopy in the standing horse are also investigated. Further studies focus on the comparative evaluation of the interosseous muscle of the hindlimb of horses using ultrasonographic and histological methods, the magnetic resonance imaging of the equine hock with specific reference to the origin of the suspensory ligament, and the three-dimensional sonographic imaging at the stifle joint of horses. Orthopaedic problems in the horse are investigated with regard to the comparison of different horse breeds using radiographic criteria of maturity, and scintigraphic investigations of the equine digit.

In the centre of research at the Large Animal Clinic for Theriogenology and Ambulatory Services are the laparoscopic collection of calf oozytes, their in vitro-maturation, fertilisation and embryo transfer to adult recipients, and basic research in the differential gene expression in bovine oocytes. Other projects refer to the establishment/improvement of reproductive performance in prepubertal and pubertal gilts and sows, studies on mycotoxins and infections with chlamydiae in gilts and sows with reduced fertility, and the epidemiology, diagnosis, metaphylaxis and therapy of mastitis in dairy cows with regard to consumers' health protection.