The field of veterinary medicine is evolving rapidly, expanding beyond traditional animal health concerns and playing a key role in one global health initiative.
One concept of health recognizes that human, animal and environmental health are interrelated and that interdisciplinary collaboration is required to tackle the threat of emerging health.
Recent research from the Western Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) at the University of Saskatchewan highlights groundbreaking research projects addressing key challenges in public health, antibiotic resistance, reproductive health and zoonotic diseases.
Supported by nearly $1.47 million in research funding from the Canadian Institute of Health, these projects are at the forefront of integrating veterinary and human medicine.
In this article, Innovation News Network provides a detailed technical analysis of WCVM’s one health research initiative, and outlines its impact on veterinary, global health and biomedical advances.
One major area of research in health
One health research at WCVM integrates expertise in veterinary, human and environmental sciences. This study highlights the following major areas of research:
Investigation of the health effects of vaping on fetal development
One of the most pressing public health concerns today is the impact of vaping on reproductive and fetal health.
While many pregnant women mistakenly believe that Vaping is a safer alternative to smoking, emerging research suggests that this is not the case.
Here are some important findings from one health:
Artificial pig testicular model: Using an in vitro model of pig germ cells, we simulate fetal exposure to toxins from vapor. Scientists can help study the effects of vapor aerosols on reproduction development. It offers a new way to test reproductive toxicity. Other airborne pollutants and chemical exposures can be expanded to study. It supports regulatory policies, particularly regarding the safety of e-cigarettes in pregnant women.
Transmission of toxoplasmosis in northern Canada
Toxoplasmosis caused by the protozoan parasite toxoplasma gondii is a major zoonotic disease that poses a serious risk to pregnant women and immunodeficient individuals.
High infection rates in communities in northern Canada have long been baffling scientists, but researchers at WCVM may have used one health to discover missing links.
The research includes:
Arctic foxes as disease sentinels: Studies suggest that foxes act as environmental indicators of parasite prevalence. Analysis of stable isotopes in infected fox tissues revealed a strong correlation between fox diet and human exposure routes. Newly identified permeation pathways: fish and waterfowl are the main permeation vectors of T. gondii in northern populations. Previous assumptions focused on mammalian sources, but this study focuses on aquatic food chains. Veterinary and public health impacts: enabling targeted interventions for food safety protocols in northern communities. It emphasizes the need to raise awareness among healthcare providers. Expanding understanding of how wildlife predicts zoonotic outbreaks.
Advances in organ transplantation via genetically engineered pigs
Organ shortages remain a serious medical crisis, with thousands of patients dying each year while awaiting transplants.
One potential solution to health is xenografting. This is the use of genetically modified animal organs for human transplantation.
The survey results are as follows:
Development of genetically modified (transgenic) pigs for organ transplantation: Research focuses on modifying the pig’s genome to make organs more compatible with human transplantation. An innovative genetic editing approach: Instead of modifying the embryo directly, the team edits male pig sperm cells. These modified sperm cells can be used for natural reproduction or in vitro fertilization (IVF). This accelerates the breeding process and increases the production of organ-compatible pigs. Biosecurity and Zoonotic Infection Prevention: This project incorporates strict biosecurity measures to prevent the transmission of interspecies diseases. This ensures that human organ movement from pigs minimizes the risk of zoonotic infections. Veterinary medicine and its impact on human health: Opens new tools for large-scale organ transplant solutions. Provides a scalable and efficient model for xenografting. It strengthens the biomedical applications of veterinary research and demonstrates the important role of animal science in human medicine.
One of the health effects on the animal health sector
Enhance veterinarian contributions to public health
One health survey for WCVM highlights how veterinary medicine plays a pivotal role in human health outcomes. Important areas of impact include:
Zoonotic Disease Surveillance: Wildlife is used as sentinels for diseases to detect new infectious diseases early. Strengthen public health preparations against outbreaks. Biomedical Innovation: Use veterinary genetics to advance medical treatments such as organ transplants. Development of non-invasive models to study the risk of human disease. Regulatory Science and Policy Development: Notification of vaping safety, zoonotic disease management, and government policy on xenotransplantation.
The growing role of veterinary research in global health initiatives
Veterinary science is increasingly integrated into global health initiatives.
One health approach acknowledges that human and animal health are inherently related and that interdisciplinary research is necessary.
Future research areas include:
Antibiotic Resistance: Investigating how veterinary antibiotics affect AMR trends in human medicine. Development of alternative therapies to reduce antibiotic dependence. Climate Change and Emerging Diseases: Understand how climate change is changing zoo infections. Implementation of a wildlife surveillance system to track new disease patterns. Precision livestock medicine: Uses AI and machine learning to predict disease outbreaks in livestock populations. Development of real-time diagnosis for early disease detection.
Transform veterinary science with a new approach
One health approach exemplifies the potential for transformation in veterinary science to tackle global health challenges.
With groundbreaking research into the reproductive risks of vaping, the pathways of zoonotic infection, and genetic engineering of organ transplants, WCVM researchers are bridged the gap between veterinarians and human medicine.
As one health continues to gain momentum, veterinary science is at the forefront of this transformation.
This pioneering research not only increases animal health and well-being, but also promotes advances in human medicine, revealing the interrelated future of healthcare between species and disciplines.
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