The research group of Associate Professor Toshito Shimazu (Food Physiology Laboratory), Department of Food and Life Sciences, Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, Azabu University, is conducting research on periodontal disease of Ashika in collaboration with Yomiuri Land Ashikakan.In humans, it has become clear that dementia is likely to occur when the number of remaining teeth in the elderly is small, and the relationship between diabetes, heart disease, cerebrovascular disease and periodontal disease has been clarified. The same is true for the animals that have been diagnosed with diabetes, and the increase in oral diseases has become a problem in many animals.

 Periodontal disease is considered to be a very small number in wild animals, but it has been found in human breeding environments.As a result of increasing opportunities for humans to coexist with animals, periodontal disease has come to be recognized as one of the zoonotic diseases.

 However, although there are research reports suggesting that periodontopathic bacteria cross-infect between humans and dogs, it is not yet known whether cross-infection occurs between animals in zoos and their zookeepers.In addition, there are few zoo veterinarians who are familiar with dental practice, and many breeding facilities provide symptomatic treatment that relies on many years of experience.

 Associate Professor Shimazu is working on research related to "food" and "oral cavity" by utilizing his research experience in oral diseases.Currently, in order to clarify the origin of periodontal pathogenic bacteria in zoo animals suffering from periodontal disease, the DNA test of human periodontal pathogenic bacteria is applied to zoo animals as a common human-animal infectious disease. We are investigating the actual condition of periodontal disease.

 Since it is necessary to collect gingival crevicular fluid from the oral cavity of animals in order to carry out analysis of periodontopathic bacteria, in this study, we focused on Ashika as an animal that makes it easy to observe the inside of the mouth.With the cooperation of the Yomiuri Land Sea Lion Pavilion, where sufficient Hazbandary training * is being conducted, we started research on California sea lions appearing at the sea lion show.
 
 While university research activities are restricted due to measures associated with the spread of the new coronavirus infection, sampling of seven sea lions was completed from 2020 to 2021, and bacterial testing is continuing.We will analyze the results of this test to clarify the infection status of periodontal disease.

* Hazbandary training is to allow animals to take necessary actions for health management, such as voluntarily moving animals by giving them food, putting out limbs for blood collection, and opening their mouths. Training (examination movement training).Training that voluntarily takes various systems without stress so that treatment and health management can be performed without burdening animals such as anesthesia.

Reference: [Azabu University] Research on periodontal disease of sea lions with the cooperation of Azabu University and Yomiuri Land

Azabu University

Aim to become a specialist by learning closely about our lives such as animals, food, environment and health!

The roots of Azabu University go back to the "Tokyo Veterinary Training Center" established in 23 by Totaka Yokura in Azabu, Tokyo (currently Minami Azabu, Minato-ku). Opened as Azabu Veterinary University in 1890 and renamed Azabu University in 1950.At Azabu University, under the founding spirit of "the study of science and sincere practice" […]

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