Research

Project Details:
Few standardized studies are available on the effect of slow-release GnRH agonists in avian patients. With this background, the aim of this study is to examine the influence of deslorelin, a slow-release GnRH agonist, on the gonadal activity of female and male budgerigars in order to optimize the clinical use of this drug. The activity of the gonads will be examined, for example, by determining the sex hormones and by radiographic assessment of the reproductive organs.

Project Details:
Blutchemische SDMA-Bestimmungen

Cooperation Partners:

LABOKLIN - Fachlabor für veterinärmedizinische Diagnostik

Funding: University of Glasgow, 8.400 EUR

Project Details:
The ears of 15 long-finned pilot whales (Globicephala melas) that mass stranded on July 2023 and on July 2024 in Scotland were collected and fixed during the comprehensive post-mortem examination. They were subsequently sent to ITAW for inner ear analysis. Several complementary analysis techniques will be used to evaluate the ears, depending on the preservation status of the sample. Specifically, techniques optimized in cetaceans such as scanning electron microscopy or immunofluorescence (and histopathology for the less fresh individuals) will be performed to determine whether an animal suffered a hearing loss. With scanning electron microscopy it is possible to observe evidence of lesions within the sensory cells at very high resolution, which can be distinguished from post-mortem decomposition artifacts. On the other hand, with the immunofluorescence technique that we have implemented for ears of marine mammals, we can use a combination of several markers to label the sensory cells and associated neurons at the same time. In addition, we can distinguish between newly formed lesions (that could be associated to the stranding) from old ones. Finally, histopathology is ideal to detect hemorrhages and infections that could have impaired the hearing of the animal, as well as the evaluation of the spiral ganglion neurons, which are the neurons that bring the auditory information from the inner ear to the brain. Hearing impairment can be caused by several factors, including noise exposure, age, ototoxic drugs exposure, pollutants, infections, and congenital disorders. If cases of hearing loss are found, we will evaluate which could be the most likely causes. Including the inner ear collections and analysis within the post-mortem examination protocol in stranded cetaceans (and mass stranded, even if the logistics associated are even more challenging) is essential to detect potential cases of hearing loss, which is particularly relevant in cetaceans that use hearing for all their vital activities.

Project Details:
Overall statistics covering the last 20 breeding years to investigate influences and correlations between maternal, paternal, gender health, genetic and environmental factors and their impact on reproductive performance.

Cooperation Partners:

Deutscher Galopp e.V., Köln

Funding: MEKUN, 172.488 EUR

Project Details:
The occurrence of harbor seals in the waters of Schleswig-Holstein has increased in recent years. At the same time, the seals are exposed to an increasing amount of human activity. These include chemical pollution, offshore wind turbine constructions, the Fehmarnbelt crossing, shipping, military and civilian detonations (munitions disposal), fishing, litter, habitat loss and other disturbances such as tourism. The increasing grey seal population in the North Sea has also led to the predation and rape of seals by grey seals in recent years.
As part of this research project, a total of 30 dead seals from the Schleswig-Holstein North Sea and Baltic Sea are to be examined in-depth for their state of health. These 30 individuals will be examined in addition to the 30 seals that will be necropsied as part of the project, which is funded by the Supreme Hunting Authority in the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Areas, Europe and Consumer Protection of Schleswig-Holstein (MLLEV), bringing the total number of necropsied seals from Schleswig-Holstein to 60. Histological, microbiological and parasitological examinations will be carried out.

Project Details:
GnRH agonists are frequently used in practice to treat diseases of the reproductive system in privately reared laying hens. After surgical removal of the oviduct, suppression of gonadal activity is essential. The aim of the planned studies is to examine the influence of such a resection of the laying intestine on the effect of the slow-release GnRH agonist deslorelin in clinical use. In order to assess the effect of the GnRH agonist, the activity of the ovary and oviduct will be evaluated by determining the sex hormones and by sonographic examination.

Project Details:
Infections with adenoviruses have been detected in hand-reared Common swifts in connection with stomatitis. As part of this project, the virus is to be investigated in more detail and its spread in the wild population of swifts and swallows, as possible carriers, is to be determined in the Hanover area.

Funding: Bezirksamt Hamburg-Nord, 48.000 EUR

Project Details:
The establishment of pigeon lofts for urban pigeons is an important component in the management of the pigeon population for many cities. With this background, the influence of a newly installed pigeon loft for urban pigeons on the development and health status of the neighboring pigeon population, the occurrence of pigeon-specific pathogens and the contamination by pigeons in the catchment area will be investigated in the city of Hamburg over a period of two years.

Cooperation Partners:

Frau Dr. Anke Höfer

Fachamt Verbraucherschutz, Gewerbe und Umwelt:

Veterinärwesen und Lebensmittelüberwachung, Hamburg

Project Details:
Salmonella-specific phages are isolated and characterized from bearded dragons. Their spectrum of activity is determined, and their in vitro and in vivo effectiveness is examined.

Cooperation Partners:

Robert-Koch-Institut RKI Wernigerode

Funding: Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt, 233.000 EUR

Project Details:
The project aims to develop a time- and location-based, digital, and mobile decision aid for citizens who have found a wild animal in nature. It enables the identification of the species and, based on the symptoms, provides a help recommendation through a decision tree. Specific contacts for further information are also provided.