Research

Funding: Aarhus University, 5.291 EUR

Project Details:
For the surveys of the study area in the Skagerraö, densities and abundances of harbour porpoises were estimated and the inaccuracies (95% confidence intervals and coefficient of variation (CV)) associated with the estimation were determined. The processed data and results were submitted to the client.

Funding: Nationalparkverwaltung "Niedersächsisches Wattenmeer", Virchowstr. 1, 26383 Wilhelmshaven, 39.722 EUR

Project Details:
The aim of the project is a survey of the local grey seal population in the entire Lower Saxony and Hamburg Wadden Sea during the birthing season (November-December) 2024 and at the time of the fur change (March-April) 2025.
On five trilaterally coordinated dates (three during the birthing season; two during the fur-change period), airborne surveys will be conducted with a single-engine aircraft. During the aerial surveys of the tidal flats, a high-resolution SLR camera will be used to photograph the haul-outs. In order to determine the number of young born as well as the total population, the photos taken are subsequently analyzed on the computer.

Results:

Schop, J., Bönisch, A., Brasseur, S. M. J. M., Galatius, A., Hamm, T., Jeß, A., Meise, K., Meyer, J., Stejskal, O., Siebert, U., Teilmann, J., & Thøstesen, C. B. (2025). Grey Seal Numbers in the Wadden Sea and Helgoland in 2024-2025. Common Wadden Sea Secretariat, Expert Group Marine Mammals.

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15728315

Funding: Industrie, 260.000 EUR

Project Details:
Pre-clinical testing of a neuroprotective drug

Funding: Drittmittelprojekt, gefördert durch Fritz-Ahrberg-Stiftung., 15.000 EUR

Project Details:
The precise investigation of the muscle-to-meat transition after the slaughter of farm animals is important, because it (could) lead to a better understanding of the processes during these post-mortem changes. This allows the definition and analysis of influencing factors that may have a positive or negative effect on the meat quality. However, since an in vivo analysis of meat formation is difficult to standardize, in vitro models have been developed that are easier to standardize with regard to metabolites/ compositions (e.g. certain organelles such as mitochondria). Since the models have so far been scientifically investigated in pigs and chickens, the study will first establish an already published in-vitro model with pig muscles and then transfer it to bovine and possibly turkey muscles. These models will then be used to analyze the physiological muscle-to-meat transition after slaughter in more detail, also taking into account certain exogenous and endogenous factors, especially the mitochondria. The influence of mitochondria will be examined in more detail, as they have an (important) influence on meat formation. In addition, the models will be used to analyze (pathological) problems in meat formation (e.g. PSE, DFD).

Funding: Bundesministerium für Ernährung und Landwirtschaft, 46.497 EUR

Project Details:
The aim of the project is to establish he first agricultural skills lab to improve practical skills in training in order to promote better animal welfare in education. New social and political demands in agriculture, which may require new practical skills, can be implemented in the skills lab and learned and deepened in a protected learning environment. The agricultural skills lab is intended to address different target groups (trainees to become farmers/animal keepers, trainees to become master craftsmen, obtain relevant additional qualifications (e.g. insemination technicians) and students of agricultural science / livestock science) and encourage exchange and learning from one another and with one another between the different groups improve audiences.

Results:

https://www.lksh.de/presse/pressemitteilungen/news/artikel/show/deutschlands-erstes-agriskills-lab-steht-in-schleswig-holstein-heute-oeffnete-der-simulatoren-lernort-im-lvz-futterkamp

Cooperation Partners:

Lehr- und Versuchszentrum Futterkamp, Landwirtschaftskammer Schleswig-Holstein

Dr. Sophie Diers

Gutshof 1, 24327 Blekendorf

Funding: MEKUN, 233.834 EUR

Project Details:
In the previous four years a concept was developed to perform standardized necropsy and examination on all otters found dead in Schleswig-Holstein (SH), to allow for assessment of the general population health status. Even though most otters were roadkills and seemed comparatively healthy, zoonotic agentswere cultured from tissue samples and rare otter specialist parasites were recorded for the first time in Northern Germany. Combined dietaryanalysis includinghard part analysis and genetic metabarcoding were used to depictthe natural prey spectrum of otters. Knowlegde on the otters` diet is of utmost importance in various context, for example in the light of fisheries-otter conflicts. Cementum aging reveiled a rather young average age of the investigated otters from SH. Combined with the ongoing recolonization of the otter in SH, this might be an indication that the population has not finally established itself yet and we face a dynamic process. The findings of various environmental contaminants of concern in the otters from SH were of utmost importance and included potential microplastic particles, pharmaceuticals, rat poison, mercury or per- and polyfluorinated chemicals.

The aim of this project is to combine the expertise from previous years and transform the health assessments into a long-term post-mortem population health monitoring for otters in SH. As top predators, Eurasian otters are indicator species for environmental contaminants or infectious diseases in freshwater ecosystems, like marine mammals in their habitat. By adopting this indicator function, the collection of otter health data shall be continued to allow for the estimation of time trends in future population health assessments. Accordingly, otters found dead in SH will continued to be collected and investigated, including diagnostics such as histology, microbiology and parasitology. The main focus will be on diseased animals and such, where the cause of death is unclear. All other individuals will be screened for relevant indicator pathogens, including distemper virus or high pathogenic avian influenza virus. In addition, parasitological and microbiological investigations will be conducted if assumed necessary. To determine whether hard ticks infecting otters play a role in the transfer of vector-borne disease, all collected hard ticks (Ixodes) from previous years will be determined on a species level. The results will give an overview, which tick species are infecting otters and if the transfer of certain pathogens might play a role here.

In accordance with their role as indicator species of the aquatic environment, systematic mercury analysis will be conducted for the first time on otters from SH. An international collaboration within the EU investigated contaminants in otters and could show that mercury levels in some individuals from SH were very high compared to other top predators. For the planned analysis, samples from the biobank will be carefully selected to ensure a good coverage with regards to age, sex and location of finding. Moreover, first steps to develop biomarkers for environmental contaminants in otters will be made.

Eine systematische Fortführung der Untersuchungen der Fischotter in SH ist von zentraler Bedeutung, um langfristige Populationsentwicklungen einzuschätzen und beurteilen zu können. Als streng geschützte Art und wertvoller Indikator für das Ökosystem Süßwasser bietet ein strategisches Monitoring des Fischotters die Möglichkeit, Arten- und Naturschutz zu verbinden. Auch im Hinblick auf sich abzeichnende Interessenskonflikte, z.B. mit der Fischerei, kann eine solide Datengrundlage zum Fischotter wertvolle Informationsarbeit leisten und sachliche Diskussionen ermöglichen.

In order to estimate and evaluate long-term population trends of otters in SH, a systemic continuation of the post-mortem investigations is needed. As strictly protected species and suitable indicator for the freshwater ecosystem, a strategic monitoring of Eurasian otter represents a valuable tool to combine conservation of both wildlife and nature. Especially when looking at potential conflicts like the otter-fisheries interface, a well developed dataset on otters will help to create information based on scientific facts and ensure objective rather than emotional discussion.

Funding: Roland und Elfriede Schauer-Stiftung, 210.000 EUR

Project Details:
In this project, we hypothesize that glycosylated C-type lectin receptor (CLR) ligands induce a differential expression of CLRs by intestinal macrophages under bacterial dysbiosis, thereby leading to a modulated host immune response. This hypothesis will be tested by performing in vitro and in vivo studies.

Funding: Das Projekt ist Teil der Modell- und Demonstrationsvorhaben (MuD) Tierschutz im Bundesprogramm Nutztierhaltung. Die Förderung erfolgt aus Mitteln des Bundesministeriums für Ernährung und Landwirtschaft (BMEL) aufgrund eines Beschlusses des deutschen Bundestages, Projektträger ist die Bundesanstalt für Landwirtschaft und Ernährung (BLE), Förderkennzeichen 2820MDT341., 399.935 EUR

Project Details:
The aim of this model and demonstration project is to scientifically evaluate (partially) mobile slaughtering of poultry and cattle and to communicate the results adequately into practice. Different types of (partially) mobile slaughter units will be analyzed with regard to their effects on the animals (animal welfare) and products from these animals (meat hygiene, meat quality), organizational feasibility, technical requirements, legal conformity and economy. Existing and new scientific findings for the optimization of the above-mentioned aspects will be tested for their suitability, and communicated and transferred into practice. The communication of the results will take place via specialist articles, leaflets/practice guides, specialist videos, homepages, online seminars and information events.

https://www.tiho-hannover.de/stronger

Cooperation Partners:

Forschungsinstitut für biologischen Landbau e.V. (FiBL)

Deutsche Landwirtschafts-Gesellschaft e.V. (DLG)

Project Details:
The aim of this study is the validation of the automated analysis of cell count in bovine synovia using the ADVIA 2120i. Corresponding reference ranges for clinically normal joint aspirates should be developed to differentiate these from pathological samples. In addition, further examinations such as the determination of protein content and a microbiological examination of the samples are carried to analyse whether particular parameters can provide information on clinical appearance, diagnostics or therapy. Both macroscopically abnormal and normal joint aspirates are used for examination.

Project Details:
The aim of this study is to analyse the effect of four distict cytokines, which are important in early bovine pregnancy, on the gene expression in cultured primary bovine hepatocytes. PCR is used to detect how the hepatocellular IGFBP-expression changes when the cells are stimulated with different cytokines in different concentrations. This demonstrates the connection between immunological and endocrine changes in early pregnant cows. We particularly focus on IFNτ, the embryonic pregnancy recognition signal of ruminants.