Curricular renewal at the southern tip of Africa : the ‘2016’ veterinary curriculum at the University of Pretoria

Four years after the institution of a new curriculum at the University of Pretoria's Faculty of Veterinary Science, a second major curricular renewal was initiated as a result of several pressing drivers, many of which were unique to the national and institutional context. During the project, South African higher education was disrupted by student protests prompted by financial pressures on students, the overt colonial structure of higher education, and the need to accelerate transformation of the sector. A structured curricular renewal process was followed, including the laying down of the principles, the structuring the macro-curriculum as a story, the design of a meso- and micro-curriculum, and the mapping of the curriculum to Day One outcomes. The resulting program is a 6-year bachelor's degree with a blend of discipline and species modules, with the first cohort graduating in 2016. There is a strong focus on skills embodied in a 62-week experiential component, managed using a unique custom-designed online platform for booking placements, documenting exposure, assessing competency, and providing feedback to students. The experiential training includes a large elective component. Several causes of loss of impetus during the process are discussed and proposals are made for avoiding these. The value of accreditation as a driver and a source of inputs is evident. The process has succeeded in producing a significantly reshaped curriculum that has been well received by external stakeholders.http://jvme.utpjournals.press/loi/jvme2018-09-06hj2017Production Animal Studie

Ultrasonographic reproductive tract measures and pelvis measures as predictors of pregnancy failure and anestrus in restricted bred beef heifers

Previous reports have shown that reproductive tract score (RTS) can predict reproduction outcomes in seasonally bred beef heifers, although the accuracy can vary. Some ultrasonographic measures of the female reproductive tract and pelvis area have also been associated with reproductive outcome in young heifers. The objectives of this study were to determine which transrectal ultrasound or pelvis measures taken at a single examination are independent predictors of reproductive failure, and if the RTS system can be optimised with this information. In this observational study 488 year-old beef heifers in 2 birth cohorts were followed from prior to first breeding until confirmation of pregnancy. A single pre-breeding examination included BCS, RTS, ultrasound measures of the reproductive tract (length and diameter of the left and right ovaries, presence and diameter of a CL, largest follicle diameter and left uterus horn diameter) and transverse and vertical diameters of the pelvis. Additional farm records including dam parity, sire, birth weight and birth date, weaning weight, weaning date, pre-breeding BW, AI dates and semen used were available. Breeding consisted of 50 d of AI, followed 5 to 7 d later by a 42 d bull breeding period. Pregnancy failure was defined as the failure to become pregnant after the AI and bull breeding periods while anestrus was defined as the failure to be detected in estrus during the 50 d AI period. From the pre-breeding data and farm records independent predictors of pregnancy failure and anestrus were identified using step-wise reduction in multiple logistic regression models. Age at the onset of breeding was the only consistent independent predictor of pregnancy failure and anestrus in both cohorts of this study (P < 0.05). BCS, uterus horn diameter, absence of a CL, largest follicle of less than 13 mm and pelvis area (PA) were the pre-breeding examination variables that remained in prognostic models (P < 0.1). Combining either the model based on the three remaining ultrasound measures or RTS with PA provided more accurate prognostic models for pregnancy failure and anestrus than using RTS alone (P < 0.05). It is concluded that ultrasound measures have prognostic value for pregnancy failure in restricted bred yearling heifers as a result of their association with anestrus, and that smaller pelvis area has additional prognostic value for poor performing heifers.http://www.theriojournal.com2017-02-28hb201

Evaluation of pre-breeding reproductive tract scoring as a predictor of long term reproductive performance in beef heifers

In a 7-year longitudinal study 292 Bovelder beef cows in a restricted breeding system inSouth Africa were observed from 1 to 2 days before their first breeding season, when repro-ductive tract scoring (RTS, scored from 1 to 5) was performed, until weaning their 5thcalves. The objective was to determine whether pre-breeding RTS in heifers is a valid toolto predict long-term reproductive performance. Outcomes measured were failure to showoestrus during the first 24 days of the first 50-day AI season (24-day anoestrus), failureto become pregnant during each yearly artificial insemination (AI) season (reproductivefailure), number of days from the start of each AI season to calving, and number of years toreproductive failure. The effect of RTS on each outcome was adjusted for year of birth, pre-breeding age, BW and body condition score (BCS), and for 24-day anoestrus, bull, gestationlength, previous days to calving and previous cow efficiency index, the latter two in thecase of the 2nd to the 5th calving season. During their first breeding season, heifers withRTS 1 and 2 combined were more likely to be in anoestrus for the first 24 days (OR = 3.0,95% CI 1.5, 6.4, P = 0.003), and were also more likely to fail to become pregnant even afteradjusting for 24-day anoestrus (OR = 2.1, 95% CI 1.1, 3.9, P = 0.025), compared to those withRTS 4 and 5 combined. Animals with RTS 1 and 2 combined were at increased risk of earlyreproductive failure compared to those with RTS 4 and 5 combined (HR = 1.4, 95% CI 1.0,1.9, P = 0.045) although RTS was not associated with calving rate or days to calving after thesecond calving season. Low RTS at a threshold of 1 had consistent specificity of ≥94% forboth 24-day anoestrus and pregnancy failure, however its predictive value was lower inthe age cohort with a higher prevalence of anoestrus. We conclude that RTS is a valid man-agement tool for culling decisions intended to improve long-term reproductive success ina seasonal breeding system, by excluding heifers that are likely to fail to become pregnantor likely to calve late during their first calving season.This research was performed under protocol no V089/13, as approved by the Animal use and Care Committee of the University of Pretoria.http://www.elsevier.com/locate/prevetmedhb201

Curricular renewal at the Southern Tip of Africa: The 2016 Veterinary Curriculum at the University of Pretoria

Four years after the institution of a new curriculum at the University of Pretoria's Faculty of Veterinary Science, a second major curricular renewal was initiated as a result of several pressing drivers, many of which were unique to the national and institutional context. During the project, South African higher education was disrupted by student protests prompted by financial pressures on students, the overt colonial structure of higher education, and the need to accelerate transformation of the sector. A structured curricular renewal process was followed, including the laying down of the principles, the structuring the macro-curriculum as a story, the design of a meso- and micro-curriculum, and the mapping of the curriculum to Day One outcomes. The resulting program is a 6-year bachelor's degree with a blend of discipline and species modules, with the first cohort graduating in 2016. There is a strong focus on skills embodied in a 62-week experiential component, managed using a unique custom-designed online platform for booking placements, documenting exposure, assessing competency, and providing feedback to students. The experiential training includes a large elective component. Several causes of loss of impetus during the process are discussed and proposals are made for avoiding these. The value of accreditation as a driver and a source of inputs is evident. The process has succeeded in producing a significantly reshaped curriculum that has been well received by external stakeholders

Lumpy skin disease virus can be experimentally transmitted by infected semen in cattle

Lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV) is a Capripoxvirus which causes considerable economic losses. Whereas the pattern of shedding of virus in semen and the pathogenesis thereof has been studied, as well as the prevention of shedding by vaccination, no data is available on the actual potential for transmission via infected semen. Two trials were conducted to investigate the infectivity of LSDV-contaminated semen; one trial involved insemination of oestrussynchronized heifers and a second trial involved the insemination of superovulated heifers from which embryos were subsequently harvested. Transmission of LSDV did occur, with five out of 11 heifers developing typical lumpy skin disease. However, the urogenital organs were much more severely affected in these animals than is typically the case. None of the heifers in the first trial were pregnant, suggesting a possible negative effect of the virus on fertilisation

The value of reproductive tract scoring as a predictor of fertility and production outcomes in beef heifers

In this study, 272 beef heifers were studied from just before their first breeding season (October 15, 2003), through their second breeding season, and until just after they had weaned their first calves in March, 2005. This study was performed concurrently with another study testing the economic effects of an estrous synchronization protocol using PG. Reproductive tract scoring (RTS) by rectal palpation was performed on the group of heifers 1 d before the onset of their first breeding season. The effect of RTS on several fertility and production outcomes was tested, and the association of RTS with the outcomes was compared with that of other input variables such as BW, age, BCS, and Kleiber ratio using multiple or univariable linear, logistic, or Cox regression. Area under the curve for receiver operating characteristic analysis was used to compare the ability of different input variables to predict pregnancy outcome. After adjustment for BW and age, RTS was positively associated with pregnancy rate to the 50-d AI season (P < 0.01), calf weaning weight (r = 0.22, P < 0.01), and pregnancy rate to the subsequent breeding season (P < 0.01), and negatively associated with days to calving (r = 0.28, P < 0.01). Reproductive tract scoring was a better predictor of fertility than was Kleiber ratio and similar in its prediction of calf weaning weight. It was concluded from this study that RTS is a predictor of heifer fertility, compares well with other traits used as a predictor of production outcomes, and is likely to be a good predictor of lifetime production of the cow.http://jas.fass.org/cgi/content/full/87/6/193

Evaluation of pre-breeding reproductive tract scoring as a predictor of long term reproductive performance in beef heifers

In a 7-year longitudinal study 292 Bovelder beef cows in a restricted breeding system in South Africa were observed from 1 to 2 days before their first breeding season, when reproductive tract scoring (RTS, scored from 1 to 5) was performed, until weaning their 5th calves. The objective was to determine whether pre-breeding RTS in heifers is a valid tool to predict long-term reproductive performance. Outcomes measured were failure to show oestrus during the first 24 days of the first 50-day AI season (24-day anoestrus), failure to become pregnant during each yearly artificial insemination (AI) season (reproductive failure), number of days from the start of each AI season to calving, and number of years to reproductive failure. The effect of RTS on each outcome was adjusted for year of birth, pre-breeding age, BW and body condition score (BCS), and for 24-day anoestrus, bull, gestation length, previous days to calving and previous cow efficiency index, the latter two in the case of the 2nd to the 5th calving season. During their first breeding season, heifers with RTS 1 and 2 combined were more likely to be in anoestrus for the first 24 days (OR=3.0, 95% CI 1.5, 6.4, P=0.003), and were also more likely to fail to become pregnant even after adjusting for 24-day anoestrus (OR=2.1, 95% CI 1.1, 3.9, P=0.025), compared to those with RTS 4 and 5 combined. Animals with RTS 1 and 2 combined were at increased risk of early reproductive failure compared to those with RTS 4 and 5 combined (HR=1.4, 95% CI 1.0, 1.9, P=0.045) although RTS was not associated with calving rate or days to calving after the second calving season. Low RTS at a threshold of 1 had consistent specificity of ≥94% for both 24-day anoestrus and pregnancy failure, however its predictive value was lower in the age cohort with a higher prevalence of anoestrus. We conclude that RTS is a valid management tool for culling decisions intended to improve long-term reproductive success in a seasonal breeding system, by excluding heifers that are likely to fail to become pregnant or likely to calve late during their first calving season

Genome-wide association study of lifetime cannabis use based on a large meta-analytic sample of 32330 subjects from the International Cannabis Consortium

Contains fulltext : 156357.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access)Cannabis is the most widely produced and consumed illicit psychoactive substance worldwide. Occasional cannabis use can progress to frequent use, abuse and dependence with all known adverse physical, psychological and social consequences. Individual differences in cannabis initiation are heritable (40-48%). The International Cannabis Consortium was established with the aim to identify genetic risk variants of cannabis use. We conducted a meta-analysis of genome-wide association data of 13 cohorts (N=32330) and four replication samples (N=5627). In addition, we performed a gene-based test of association, estimated single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)-based heritability and explored the genetic correlation between lifetime cannabis use and cigarette use using LD score regression. No individual SNPs reached genome-wide significance. Nonetheless, gene-based tests identified four genes significantly associated with lifetime cannabis use: NCAM1, CADM2, SCOC and KCNT2. Previous studies reported associations of NCAM1 with cigarette smoking and other substance use, and those of CADM2 with body mass index, processing speed and autism disorders, which are phenotypes previously reported to be associated with cannabis use. Furthermore, we showed that, combined across the genome, all common SNPs explained 13-20% (P<0.001) of the liability of lifetime cannabis use. Finally, there was a strong genetic correlation (rg=0.83; P=1.85 × 10-8) between lifetime cannabis use and lifetime cigarette smoking implying that the SNP effect sizes of the two traits are highly correlated. This is the largest meta-analysis of cannabis GWA studies to date, revealing important new insights into the genetic pathways of lifetime cannabis use. Future functional studies should explore the impact of the identified genes on the biological mechanisms of cannabis use.9 p