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Veterinary Physiology Lab
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The lab studies muscle regeneration and brain function using rats and other animals.
AboutAbout the lab
Exploring the molecular mechanisms of growth and reproduction
The Veterinary Physiology Lab studies how mammals maintain both the individual and the species, under the theme of "molecular mechanisms of growth and reproduction."
The lab's research rests on two pillars: the development and regeneration of skeletal muscle, and the function of the central nervous system, including the brain.
The lab makes extensive use of genetically modified rats and knockout mice that it has generated itself.
Findings in mice do not necessarily apply to humans or other animals, so the lab values a comparative perspective across species.
Key terms
- Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD)
- A hereditary disease in which muscle damage and regeneration repeat and muscle strength gradually declines
- Progranulin
- A protein involved in the sexual differentiation of the brain, also attracting attention for its neuroprotective function
- GnRH
- A hormone released from the hypothalamus of the brain that regulates reproductive function. It is secreted in a pulsatile manner
NewsLab news
Elucidated how aged muscle fibers impede muscle regeneration in muscular dystrophy
Examining short-term tacrolimus administration in DMD rats (joint work with the Laboratory of Veterinary Hygiene and others)
Created a rat in which cell surfaces can be labeled with biotin (joint work with Gifu University)
Reported that progranulin regulates the inflammatory response to immune stimulation
ResearchResearch themes
To clarify how mammals maintain both the individual and the species, the lab focuses on two pillars: the development and regeneration of skeletal muscle, and the function of the central nervous system. Using genetically modified animals it has created itself, the lab also aims to deepen the understanding of disease and to apply its findings to new animal industries.
*Illustrative imageMechanisms of Muscular Dystrophy
The lab created DMD rats that closely resemble the human disease and uses them to investigate how muscular dystrophy worsens. It found that cellular senescence contributes to disease progression.
*Illustrative imageProgranulin: Protecting the Brain
The lab studies the role within the brain of progranulin, which is involved in the sexual differentiation of the brain. It has shown that progranulin suppresses abnormal neuronal hyperexcitation such as epileptic seizures.
*Illustrative imageStress and Reproductive Function
Using the secretion of GnRH and LH, which regulate reproduction, as indicators, the lab investigates how reproductive function is regulated under various kinds of stress, focusing mainly on brain function.
*Illustrative imageBody Temperature Changes During Infection
The lab has clarified the mechanism by which body temperature rises during infection with bacteria and other pathogens. It is now studying the mechanism behind hypothermia, in which body temperature drops during infection.
MembersFaculty
The members of the Veterinary Physiology Lab consist of faculty, administrative staff, postdoctoral researchers, project researchers, and doctoral and undergraduate students.As of 2026
- ProfessorKeitaro YamanouchiPublications ↗
- Associate ProfessorTakashi MatsuwakiPublications ↗
- Assistant ProfessorYuki GodaPublications ↗
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Report an errorAbout the images
The top and research theme images are illustrative and were not taken at the lab. They are cropped from Wikimedia Commons images. Cropped CC BY-SA images are provided under the same CC BY-SA license as the original (version shown on each line).
- Top image: “Wistar rat” Janet Stephens / Public domain (cropped)
- Mechanisms of Muscular Dystrophy: “Muscle Tissue Cross Section Whole Skeletal Muscle ( )” Berkshire Community College Bioscience Image Library / CC0 (cropped)
- Progranulin: Protecting the Brain: “A Cortical Neuron In Isolation” Dchordpdx / CC BY 4.0 (cropped)
- Stress and Reproductive Function: “GnRH Neuron” B. Ian Hutchins and Susan Wray / Public domain (cropped)
- Body Temperature Changes During Infection: “Thermal imaging of a rat” Lakmus3041 / CC BY 4.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (Veterinary Pharmacology Lab): “Small intestine low mag” Nephron / CC BY-SA 3.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (Veterinary Surgery Lab): “Dog in operating room” Anja / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (Veterinary Anatomy Lab): “Seminiferous tubule and sperm” Nephron / CC BY-SA 3.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (Food and Biological Function Models Lab): “Grazing cattle - panoramio” 伊藤善行 / CC BY-SA 3.0 (cropped)
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