A project titled "Investigation of the Effects of 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 on TLR-4 and Cytokine Responses in LPS-Stimulated Neonatal Foal Neutrophils", led by Dr. Ömer Deniz, faculty member of the Department of Internal Medicine at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kastamonu University, has been awarded funding under the TÜBİTAK 1002 Rapid Support Program.

In the project, with Research Assistant Serkan Bozacı and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kenan Çağrı Tümer, as a researcher, will examine the role of vitamin D in regulating innate immune responses. The study aims to contribute to understanding the fundamental mechanisms of the immune system in neonatal foals.

The research will investigate the effects of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, the active form of vitamin D, on TLR-4 receptor levels and cytokine production in neutrophils obtained from neonatal foals after lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation. The study is expected to yield new findings on the functioning and regulation of neonatal immunity.

It is anticipated that the project will reveal the potential contributions of vitamin D to protecting foals against infections during their sensitive neonatal period, providing benefits to both the scientific literature and horse breeding practices.

Our Rector, Prof. Dr. Ahmet Hamdi Topal, emphasized that our University's research capacity continues to grow day by day and congratulated the project team. He thanked the President of the Council of Higher Education, Prof. Dr. Erol Özvar, and YÖK members for supporting high-quality academic studies in higher education. Our Rector also thanked TÜBİTAK President Prof. Dr. Orhan Aydın for his encouraging approach toward the University's research activities.