The field of veterinary medicine is evolving rapidly, expanding beyond traditional animal health concerns to play a critical role in global One Health initiatives.

The concept of One Health recognises that human, animal, and environmental health are interconnected, requiring multidisciplinary collaboration to tackle emerging health threats.

A recent study from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) at the University of Saskatchewan highlights groundbreaking research projects that are addressing major challenges in public health, antimicrobial resistance, reproductive health, and zoonotic diseases.

Supported by nearly CA $1.47m in research funding from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, these projects are at the forefront of integrating veterinary and human medicine.

In this article, Innovation News Network provides an in-depth technical analysis of the WCVM’s One Health research initiatives, outlining their implications for veterinary medicine, global health, and biomedical advancements.

Key research areas in One Health

The WCVM’s One Health research integrates expertise from veterinary, human, and environmental sciences. The study highlights the following major research areas:

Investigating the health effects of vaping on foetal development

One of the most pressing public health concerns today is the impact of vaping on reproductive and foetal health.

While many pregnant women mistakenly believe vaping is a safer alternative to smoking, emerging research suggests otherwise.

Key findings from One Health include:

• Artificial pig testis model:
  • Uses in vitro models of pig reproductive cells to simulate foetal exposure to toxicants from vaping.
  • Helps scientists study the effects of vape aerosols on reproductive development.
  • Provides a novel method for testing reproductive toxicity.
  • Can be expanded to study other airborne pollutants and chemical exposures.
  • Supports regulatory policies on e-cigarette safety, particularly for pregnant women.

Toxoplasmosis transmission in Northern Canada

Toxoplasmosis, caused by the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii, is a major zoonotic disease that poses serious risks to pregnant women and immunocompromised individuals.

While high infection rates in northern Canadian communities have long puzzled scientists, WCVM researchers may have uncovered the missing link using One Health.

Studies include:

• Arctic foxes as disease sentinels:
  • Research suggests foxes serve as environmental indicators for parasite prevalence.
  • Analysis of stable isotopes in infected fox tissue revealed a strong correlation between fox diets and human exposure routes.
• Newly identified transmission pathways:
  • Fish and waterfowl are primary transmission vectors for T. gondii in northern populations.
  • Prior assumptions focused on mammalian sources, but this study redirects attention to aquatic food chains.
• Implications for veterinary and public Health:
  • Enables targeted interventions in food safety protocols for northern communities.
  • Highlights the need for increased awareness among healthcare providers.
  • Expands understanding of how wildlife can predict zoonotic disease outbreaks.

Advancing organ transplantation through genetically engineered pigs

Organ shortages remain a critical healthcare crisis, with thousands of patients dying annually while waiting for transplants.

One Health’s potential solution is xenotransplantation—the use of genetically modified animal organs for human transplantation.

Findings include:

• The development of genetically modified (transgenic) pigs for organ transplants:
  • Research focuses on modifying pig genomes to make organs more compatible for human transplantation.
• Innovative genetic editing approach:
  • Instead of directly modifying embryos, the team edits male pig sperm cells.
  • These modified sperm cells can be used for natural breeding or in vitro fertilisation (IVF).
  • This accelerates the breeding process and increases the production of organ-compatible pigs.
• Biosecurity and zoonotic disease prevention:
  • The project incorporates strict biosecurity measures to prevent cross-species disease transmission.
  • It ensures that pig-to-human organ transfer minimises risks of zoonotic infections.
• Impact on veterinary medicine and human health:
  • Opens new avenues for large-scale organ transplantation solutions.
  • Offers a scalable, efficient model for xenotransplantation.
  • Enhances biomedical applications of veterinary research, demonstrating the critical role of animal sciences in human medicine.

One Health implications for the animal health sector

Strengthening veterinary contributions to public health

The WCVM’s One Health research underscores how veterinary medicine plays a pivotal role in human health outcomes. Key areas of impact include:

• Zoonotic disease surveillance:
  • Using wildlife as disease sentinels for early detection of emerging infections.
  • Enhancing public health preparedness against outbreaks.
• Biomedical innovations:
  • Utilising veterinary genetics to advance medical treatments such as organ transplantation.
  • Developing non-invasive models for studying human disease risks.
• Regulatory science and policy development:
  • Informing government policies on vaping safety, zoonotic disease control, and xenotransplantation.

The growing role of veterinary research in global health initiatives

Veterinary science is becoming increasingly integrated into global health initiatives.

The One Health approach acknowledges that human and animal health are intrinsically linked, necessitating cross-disciplinary research.

Future research areas include:

• Antimicrobial resistance:
  • Investigating how veterinary antibiotic use impacts AMR trends in human medicine.
  • Developing alternative therapies to reduce dependence on antibiotics.
• Climate change and emerging diseases:
  • Understanding how climate shifts are altering zoonotic disease transmission.
  • Implementing wildlife monitoring systems to track new disease patterns.
• Precision livestock medicine:
  • Using AI and machine learning to predict disease outbreaks in livestock populations.
  • Developing real-time diagnostics for early disease detection.

Transforming veterinary science with new approaches

The One Health approach exemplifies the transformative potential of veterinary science in tackling global health challenges.

By pioneering groundbreaking studies on vaping’s reproductive risks, zoonotic disease pathways, and genetic engineering for organ transplants, WCVM researchers are bridging the gap between veterinary and human medicine.

As One Health continues to gain momentum, veterinary science is at the forefront of this transformation.

This pioneering research not only enhances animal health and welfare but also drives advancements in human medicine, making it clear that the future of healthcare is interconnected across species and disciplines.