A critical analysis of CAPS for Life Skills in the Foundation Phase (Grades R–3)

The Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement Foundation Phase Life Skills curriculum (DBE, 2011) is composed of four focus areas: Beginning Knowledge; Personal and Social Well-being; Creative Arts; and Physical Education. These areas draw on a number of disciplines and this makes the curriculum dense. This density is, in turn, a challenge for teachers and teacher education. We perform an historical analysis of Life Skills curriculum documents from 1977 to the present and a content analysis of the CAPS document. Using Bernstein (1971, 1996) we show that this curriculum is weakly classified and that epistemological orientations are blurred, if not rendered invisible. The specificity of different disciplinary lenses that have different objects of enquiry, methods of analysis, and criteria for truth claims is lost in an overemphasis on everyday knowledge. If teachers are not themselves schooled in the languages of the disciplines that underpin Life Skills they may not be able to give children access to them, nor are they likely to be able to help them understand how different parts of the system relate to one another

Effects of GnRH vaccination in wild and captive African Elephant bulls (Loxodonta africana) on reproductive organs and semen quality

OBJECTIVES: Although the African elephant (Loxodonta africana) is classified as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), in some isolated habitats in southern Africa, contraception is of major interest due to local overpopulation. GnRH vaccination has been promoted as a non-invasive contraceptive measure for population management of overabundant wildlife. We tested the efficacy of this treatment for fertility control in elephant bulls. METHODS: In total, 17 male African elephants that were treated with a GnRH vaccine were examined in two groups. In the prospective study group 1 (n = 11 bulls, ages: 8±36 years), semen quality, the testes, seminal vesicles, ampullae and prostate, which were all measured by means of transrectal ultrasound, and faecal androgen metabolite concentrations were monitored over a three-year period. Each bull in the prospective study received 5 ml of Improvac® (1000 μg GnRH conjugate) intramuscularly after the first examination, followed by a booster six weeks later and thereafter every 5±7 months. In a retrospective study group (group 2, n = 6, ages: 19±33 years), one examination was performed on bulls which had been treated with GnRH vaccine for 5±11 years. RESULTS: In all bulls of group 1, testicular and accessory sex gland sizes decreased significantly after the third vaccination. In six males examined prior to vaccination and again after more than five vaccinations, the testis size was reduced by 57.5%. Mean testicular height and length decreased from 13.3 ± 2.6 cm x 15.2 ± 2.8 cm at the beginning to 7.6 ± 2.1 cm x 10.2 ± 1.8 cm at the end of the study. Post pubertal bulls (>9 years, n = 6) examined prior to vaccination produced ejaculates with viable spermatozoa (volume: 8±175 ml, sperm concentration: 410-4000x106/ml, total motility: 0±90%), while after 5±8 injections, only 50% of these bulls produced ejaculates with a small number of immotile spermatozoa. The ejaculates of group 2 bulls (vaccinated >8 times) were devoid of spermatozoa. Faecal androgen metabolite concentrations measured in captive males decreased significantly after the fourth vaccination. None of the males entered musth during the treatment period. CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed a marked decrease in semen quality, testicle and secondary sex gland sizes following repeated GnRH vaccinations. After 2±4 years of continuous treatment every 5±7 months, the effects were similar to surgical castration.ISIScopu

Effects of GnRH vaccination in wild and captive African elephant bulls (Loxodonta africana) on reproductive organs and semen quality

OBJECTIVES : Although the African elephant (Loxodonta africana) is classified as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), in some isolated habitats in southern Africa, contraception is of major interest due to local overpopulation. GnRH vaccination has been promoted as a non-invasive contraceptive measure for population management of overabundant wildlife. We tested the efficacy of this treatment for fertility control in elephant bulls. METHODS : In total, 17 male African elephants that were treated with a GnRH vaccine were examined in two groups. In the prospective study group 1 (n = 11 bulls, ages: 8±36 years), semen quality, the testes, seminal vesicles, ampullae and prostate, which were all measured by means of transrectal ultrasound, and faecal androgen metabolite concentrations were monitored over a three-year period. Each bull in the prospective study received 5 ml of Improvac® (1000 μg GnRH conjugate) intramuscularly after the first examination, followed by a booster six weeks later and thereafter every 5±7 months. In a retrospective study group (group 2, n = 6, ages: 19±33 years), one examination was performed on bulls which had been treated with GnRH vaccine for 5±11 years. RESULTS : In all bulls of group 1, testicular and accessory sex gland sizes decreased significantly after the third vaccination. In six males examined prior to vaccination and again after more than five vaccinations, the testis size was reduced by 57.5%. Mean testicular height and length decreased from 13.3 ± 2.6 cm x 15.2 ± 2.8 cm at the beginning to 7.6 ± 2.1 cm x 10.2 ± 1.8 cm at the end of the study. Post pubertal bulls (>9 years, n = 6) examined prior to vaccination produced ejaculates with viable spermatozoa (volume: 8±175 ml, sperm concentration: 410-4000x106/ml, total motility: 0±90%), while after 5±8 injections, only 50% of these bulls produced ejaculates with a small number of immotile spermatozoa. The ejaculates of group 2 bulls (vaccinated >8 times) were devoid of spermatozoa. Faecal androgen metabolite concentrations measured in captive males decreased significantly after the fourth vaccination. None of the males entered musth during the treatment period. CONCLUSIONS : Our results showed a marked decrease in semen quality, testicle and secondary sex gland sizes following repeated GnRH vaccinations. After 2±4 years of continuous treatment every 5±7 months, the effects were similar to surgical castration.I. Lueders and GvDH received a grant from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service- African elephant Fund #AFE 0705; I. Lueders received funding through the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) within the Postdoctoral Fellowship Program, Grant #D/11/45084; I. Lueders received project funding through the International Elephant Foundation and the Birmingham Zoo, USA; HJB received additional funding through the Technology Innovation Agency (Pretoria, South Africa).http://www.plosone.orgam2017Anatomy and PhysiologyProduction Animal Studie

Photograph of an elephant hindleg showing swelling (circle line) one day after GnRH vaccine booster.

<p>Photograph of an elephant hindleg showing swelling (circle line) one day after GnRH vaccine booster.</p

Convex ultrasound probe and steel extension used for transrectal examination of intra-abdominally situated testicles in elephant bulls.

<p>Convex ultrasound probe and steel extension used for transrectal examination of intra-abdominally situated testicles in elephant bulls.</p

The effect of the number of GnRH vaccinations on areas of four reproductive organs adjusted for age and size of the elephant at the time of examination.

<p>Data presented as the mean (standard error) of model predicted values.</p

Graphs showing the negative correlation between number of GnRH vaccination and reproductive organ size in elephants bulls of group 1.

<p>Graphs showing the negative correlation between number of GnRH vaccination and reproductive organ size in elephants bulls of group 1.</p

Effects of GnRH vaccination in wild and captive African Elephant bulls (<i>Loxodonta africana</i>) on reproductive organs and semen quality - Fig 4

<p>Ultrasonographic images of elephant bull testicles before and after GnRH vaccination: (A) untreated wild bull #10; (B) bull #2 after 2 GnRH vaccinations; (C) untreated bull #9, CD mode showing testicular vasculature; (D) bull #2 after 7 GnRH vaccinations: note loss in size, shape and ecogenicity compared to(B); (E) same bull #2 showing one large dilated blood vessel (→); (F) CD mode showing difference in vasculature compared to untreated bull (C) with one enlarged central vessel: (G) Amorphus shaped testicles of bull # 4 with inhomogenous texture regarded as degeneration of parenchyma, after 7 vaccinations; (H) bull #6 after 8 vaccinations showing signs inhomogenous texture regarded as fibrosis. Images A-F adjusted to same scale, images (G) and (H) are enlarged relatively to the other images (see scale bar); CD = Colour Doppler.</p

Univariate associations between reproductive organ size and quantitative predictor variables in 17 bull elephants.

<p>Univariate associations between reproductive organ size and quantitative predictor variables in 17 bull elephants.</p

Overview and details of all elephants treated and examined during the course of the study.

<p>Overview and details of all elephants treated and examined during the course of the study.</p