Animal Physiology

Japanese

Animal Physiology

Staff

	Prof. Dr. SAITO Noboru E-mail： nsaito＠（@okayama-u.ac.jp） Specialty： Animal Physiology 1) Studies on the development of the gonads and the brain and the sexual differentiation of birds 2) Studies on the water-electrolyte metabolism regulatory mechanism of birds
	Assoc. Prof. Dr. HATABU Toshimitsu E-mail： hatabu＠（@okayama-u.ac.jp） Specialty： Animal Physiology (Immunology, Parasitology, Pathophysiology) 1) Studies on the pathophysiological mechanisms of parasitic diseases 2) Studies on the bursal secretory dendritic cell in the bursa of fabricius 3) Studies on the physiological effects of food ingredients

Research Topics

　Inside an animal’s body, all the functions work very delicately with the involvement of each other. This system maintains animal health. Towards the elucidation of the physiological mechanism of these animals, we have conducted research using model animals or birds.

Studies on the sexual differentiation of birds

　The sex of animals, including birds, has been determined by the genes. However, with respect to sexual differentiation of the brain and the gonads, it is determined by steroid hormones. Because the sex chromosomes of birds (ZW type) are different from mammals (XY type), the sexual differentiation mechanism of birds is different in many ways, such as the participation of these hormones are known but the details are still unknown. Therefore, regarding the reproductive glands and sexual differentiation and development of the brain, we are conducting research on the role of steroid hormones in particular.

Study of the water-electrolyte metabolism regulatory mechanism of birds

　Water-electrolyte metabolism regulation is a homeostatic regulatory mechanism and basically important in an animal. The water and electrolyte metabolism regulation of birds is similar to mammals, although there are also several different points. We are conducting research focused on renal function in particular.

Studies on the pathophysiological mechanisms of parasitic diseases

　We are exposed to infectious diseases. We need to develop cheaper, more effective, and safer ways to control infectious diseases because these incur a heavy economic loss. One of the problems is that we have a little information on the diseases. We are conducting research on the pathophysiological and immunological mechanisms of both avian coccidia and zoonotic parasites such as leishmaniasis.

Studies on the bursal secretory dendritic cell in bursa of fabricius

　The bursal secretory dendritic cell (BSDC) was observed in the bursa of fabricius of poultry. Nobody knows the character and function of BSDC in the bursa. Our research is to determine the function and cell markers of BSDC.

Studies on the physiological effects of food ingredients

　Food ingredients have important impact on our health. However, we have a limited knowledge of them scientifically. We are conducting research on the physiological effects of food ingredients on human and animal health.

Publication List

Wang Y, Hatabu T. Mulberry juice freeze-dried powder attenuates the disease severity by the maintaining of colon mucosa in mice with DSS-induced acute colitis. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem. 83, 914-922.(2019)
Nowak M, Grzesiak M, Saito N, Kwaśniewska M, Sechman A, Hrabia A. Expression of aquaporin 4 in the chicken ovary in relation to follicle development. Reproductive Domestic Animal 52, 857-864. (2017)
Saito N, Hirayama H, Yoshimura K, Atsumi Y, Mizutani M, Kinoshita K, Fujiwara A, Namikawa T. The muscular dystrophic chicken is hypernatremic, British Poultry Science, 58, 506-511.(2017)
Aste, N., Yoshioka, N., Sakamoto, E., Saito, N. Female-biased sex difference in vasotocin-immunoreactive neural structures in the developing quail brain. Journal of Chemical Neuroanatomy, 77, 41–54. (2016)
Katayama M, Fukuda T, Hatabu T, Narabara K, Abe A, Kondo Y. Changes in estrogen receptor expression in the chick thymus during late embryonic development. Anim Sci J 85, 277-85 (2014)
Barliana MI, Suradji EW, Abdulah R, Diantini A, Hatabu T, Nakajima-Shimada J, Subarnas A, Koyama H.Antiplasmodial properties of kaempferol-3-O-rhamnoside isolated from the leaves of Schima wallichii against chloroquine-resistant Plasmodium falciparum. Biomed Rep. 2:579-583 (2014)
Nakajima-Shimada J, Hatabu T, Hosoi Y, Onizuka Y, Kikuchi H, Oshima Y, Kubohara Y. Derivatives of Dictyostelium discoideum differentiation-inducing factor-3 suppress the activities of Trypanosoma cruzi in vitro and in vivo. Biochem Pharmacol. 85, 1603-10, (2013).