SATO Ayano Associate Professor

My DreamContributing to the prevention of musculoskeletal disorders in Cattle

ThemeElucidation of pathophysiology and herd management leads to early detection and prevention of lameness in cattle. Mechanisms of lameness in cattle.

Field

Veterinary Medicine, Animal Science, Animal Life Science

Keyword

Cattle, Dairy Cow, Foof Disorder, Lameness, Image, Surgery

Instructable research topic for doctoral thesis

  • 牛の蹄角質と内部構造・荷重バランスが牛の蹄発生に与える影響に関する研究
  • 牛の関節疾患における臨床研究
  • 牛の趾皮膚炎における細菌叢に関する研究

Message

牛の臨床獣医師の業務は、全てやる!が基本です。私も牛の臨床獣医師として大学卒業後から北海道でずっと仕事をしており、途中から大学での研究も継続してきました。今は牛の外科を中心に仕事をしており、治療の判断には内科や繁殖の知識、更には画像診断などの総合的な知識を念頭に置くことが必要です。ここでは、リアルな症例の治療を間近で見ることが出来ることに加えて、検査や診断を通し自分の手を動かして考えることで、疾病の理解を深めることが出来ます。また、牛の外科疾患の中でも蹄病は乳牛において重要な疾病であり、蹄病は治療するだけではなく、なぜ発生するのか?発生予防にはどうするのか?の群管理レベルでの目線も必要であり、広い視点と知識が必要です。
産業動物の獣医師は、日本の食をダイレクトに支える非常にやりがいのある仕事です。産業動物の獣医師になるための地盤を固めたいという人も、産業動物の臨床を今後の人生に役立てたいという人も、一緒に診療と研究活動をしてみませんか?

Academic degree D.Vet.
License Veterinarian
Self introduction

I’m from Shizuoka, and I enjoy both tea and coffee. Since graduating from Yamaguchi university, I’ve been working in bovine clinical practice, and my research has focused on the musculoskeletal system and lameness in cattle.

Room addressLarge Animal Clinical building
Room number210
Mail address ayn-sato atmark obihiro.ac.jp

Belongs

Research Department/Department of Veterinary Medicine/Division of Clinical Veterinary Medicine/Section of Large Animal Clinical SciencesVeterinary Medical Center/Large Animal Clinic

Introduction

In dairy cows, lameness is the second most significant disease after reproductive disorders. In adult cattle, hoof diseases account for approximately 80–90% of musculoskeletal disorders (Photo 1). Among these, hoof diseases affecting the hoof horn involve complex interrelated causes. Previous research has used cameras to analyze cattle movement, investigating the effects of hoof trimming and subtle changes in movement resulting from environmental changes (Photo 2). Since cows raised on commercial farms tend to experience excessive hoof growth due to living on hard surfaces that differ from natural environments, we are also examining weight distribution and appropriate hoof trimming methods by focusing on hoof growth patterns (Photos 3 and 4).
Furthermore, regarding musculoskeletal disorders that cause lameness in calves, many conditions remain difficult to diagnose even today, and the full scope of these diseases has not yet been fully characterized. Additionally, infectious diseases are influenced by herd management practices (photo 5). One of the objectives of my study is to clarify these unknown aspects of the diseases, link them to hard management, and thereby contribute to prevention.

Sole ulcer is the most common hoof disease affecting the hoof horn of cattle.(photo1)
A study comparing limb joint movement based on floor slip conditions(photo2)
Ultrasound images compared with CT images of the sole aspect of cow's hoof(photo3)
CT-3D images make it easier to understand the balance between the hoof bones and the hoof horn.(photo4)
Comparison of the image showing inflammation of the hip joint (left) and a normal image (right) in cases of arthritis; common musculoskeletal infection in calves(photo5)

List of current research topics

  • Study on the effects of bovine hoof horn, internal structure, and load balance on hoof disorder
  • Clinical research on joint diseases in cattle
  • Study on the bacterial flora in bovine digital dermatitis
Related industries Veterinary Medicine, Livestock farming
Affiliated academic society The Japanese Society of Veterinary Science, Japanese Journal of Large Animal Clinics, The Society of Farm Animal in Infectious Disease, Japanese Society of Veterinary Anesthesia and Surgery
Academic background 2007 Graduation from Yamaguchi University, Faculty of Agriculture, Veterinary Department of Veterinary
2007-2013 Hokkaido Agricultural Mutual Relief Association
2014 Animal Medical center affiliated Rakuno Gakuen University, Hospital veterinarian
2016 Rakuno Gakuen University, Faculty of Veterinary, Department of Veterinary, Assistant
2019 Rakuno Gakuen University, Faculty of Veterinary, Department of Veterinary, Assistant Professor
2022 Rakuno Gakuen University, Faculty of Veterinary, Department of Veterinary, Lecturer
2026 Current position