The research of the Department of Animal Physiology deals with several topics.<\/p>\n
Scientific group of neurophysiologists was initially studying the effects of low doses of ionizing irradiation applied during the embryonic development for specific types of behavior and level of neurogenesis in adult rat hippocampus. Later studies analyzed the role of pre- and postconditioning by high doses of ionizing irradiation in the protection of neurons against accute hypoxia. Currently, the research focuses on the study of the participation of reduced hippocampal neurogenesis in the pathogenesis of depressive disorders.<\/p>\n
The biggest research group of oncologists deals with the preventive potential of various natural and synthetic substances in the proces of mammary carcinogenesis in rats. In the experiments, the effect of selected compounds in the macroscopic level (the number, localisation, magnitude and volume of tumors) and microscopic level (the expression of mRNA and proteins or receptors in the tumor, the presence, the concentration and the metabolites appearance of the studied compound in the tumor and the blood of the animals) is analyzed. Moreover, the metabolic and hormonal changes of selected agent are evaluated.<\/p>\n
The research of the group of ethologists was originally focused on the behavior of reptiles in their natural environment. Emphasis was placed on the escape and territorial behavior as well as the daily and seasonal activity of reptiles and their changes under the different environmental influences. Thereafter, the parasitology view of the reptiles was added. We started to study the taxonomic representation of ectoparasites as well as their function of reptiles as the reservoir of pathogens transmitted by ectoparasites (borrelia, anaplasma, blood parasites, etc.).<\/p>\n
Nowadays, we analyze the behavioral changes of reptiles influenced by parasites and the pathogens transmitted by parasites. The study is based on the hypothesis that for the successful survival and spread of parasites and their pathogens is the most ideal opportunity to \u201cmanipulate\u201d the host behavior so that the parasites have the simplest and surest way.<\/p>\n
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