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To describe the ethnicity of domestic applicants for selection into the professional phase of veterinary education in Aotearoa New Zealand from 2003 to 2019, and to compare this with the ethnic composition of New Zealand society. This study also aims to explore whether there are differences in the demographic features and educational background of Māori applicants compared to non-Māori applicants that may be relevant to widening access to veterinary education.This study was conducted with a Kaupapa Māori research methodology. Data for all applicants to the Bachelor of Veterinary Science programme at Massey University (Palmerston North, NZ) from 2003 to 2019 were retrieved from the university's Student Management System and the School of Veterinary Science selection application databases. Self-identified ethnicity was analysed in four time periods (2003-2006, 2007-2012, 2013-2016, 2017-2019) defined by factors that might influence whether an individual chose to apply for selection into the veterinary programme. Gender, age, previous university experience, decile and type of high school, and being first in family to attend university were compared between Māori and non-Māori.From 2003 to 2019, 3,819 individuals submitted 4,802 applications for selection into the veterinary programme. Across all time periods, applicants who identified as Māori (274/4,802; 5.7%) or Pacific (56/4,802; 1.2%) were underrepresented compared to the New Zealand population (Māori 16.5%; Pacific 8.1%), while applicants who identified as European (4,035/4,802; 84%) were over-represented (70.2% of the New Zealand population). The proportion of Māori (p = 0.82) and Pacific (p = 0.31) applicants did not change over time, while the proportion of European applicants decreased from 853/968 (88.1%) to 823/977 (84.2%; p 0.001). Compared to non-Māori, Māori applicants were more likely to have attended a lower decile school (p 0.001), have attended a state rather than private or overseas school (p = 0.003) and to have been the first in their family to attend university (p = 0.001).Māori are underrepresented in the veterinary applicant pool and veterinary profession in comparison to the New Zealand population. Additionally, Māori applicants differed from non-Māori applicants in pre-university factors that are barriers to university attendance. Implementing activities and processes aimed at widening veterinary programme access with the eventual goal of improving the ethnic representation of the veterinary workforce needs to be a priority for the university and profession.

Simple Summary Basing welfare assessment standards on protocols developed for industrialised beef exporting countries could enhance the beef production and export standards in Namibia. This paper compares imposed thresholds of welfare measures of categorisation and derived thresholds to see—which was the most appropriate to the range of observations and welfare implication in three cow-calf production systems in Namibia. Using the same thresholds as the New Zealand protocol, regardless of the farm system, commercial herds achieved most welfare measures thresholds, but semi-commercial and communal herds attained acceptable welfare thresholds only in a few measures. For measures with significant welfare implications, the stricter threshold was retained, while derived thresholds appeared more appropriate for commonly occurring traits (but of less welfare importance), and some measures threshold were temporarily adjusted to reflect drought conditions. The welfare assessment identified the strengths and weaknesses in thresholds in measures across the farm types, which is envisioned to draw attention for remedial intervention to improve welfare standards of the beef industry. Abstract This paper aims to develop standards for a welfare assessment protocol by validating potential categorisation thresholds for assessing beef farms in various beef cow-calf production systems in Namibia. Forty measures, combined from a New Zealand-based protocol plus Namibia-specific measures, are applied to 55 beef farms (17 commercial farms, 20 semi-commercial and 18 communal village farms) during pregnancy testing, and a questionnaire guided interview. The categorised measures on a 3-point welfare score (0: good, 1: marginal, and 2: poor/unacceptable welfare) are subsequently compared with the derivation of thresholds based upon the poorest 15% and best 50% of herds for each measure. The overall combined thresholds of continuous measures across the three farm types show 10/22 measures that posed welfare compromise across Namibia, whereas commercial farms have 4/22 measures, and semi-commercial and communal village farms have 12/22 and 11/22, respectively, with high thresholds. Most measures-imposed thresholds are retained because of significant importance to the welfare of animals and preventiveness of the traits, while leniency was given to adjust good feeding and mortality measures to signify periods of drought. Handling measures (fearful, falling/lying) and abrasions thresholds are adjusted to reflect the temporary stress caused by infrequent cattle handling, and faulty yard designs/design and possible cattle breed influence on handling. Hence, Namibia needs prioritised investigation of underlying contributing factors and remediation to reduce the high thresholds.

A proposed animal welfare assessment protocol for semi-arid rangeland-based cow&ndash, calf systems in Namibia combined 40 measures from a protocol developed for beef cattle in New Zealand with additional Namibia-specific measures. Preliminary validation of the protocol had been undertaken with five herds in one semi-commercial village. The aim of the current study was to apply this protocol and compare animal welfare across three cow&ndash, calf production systems in Namibia. A total of 2529 beef cows were evaluated during pregnancy testing in the yards of 17 commercial, 20 semi-commercial, and 18 communal (total: 55) herds followed by an assessment of farm resources and a questionnaire-guided interview. Non-parametric tests were used to evaluate the difference in the welfare scores between the production systems. The results indicated a discrepancy of animal welfare between the three farm types, with a marked separation of commercial farms from semi-commercial, and communal village farms in the least. The differences in these production systems were mainly driven by economic gains through access to better beef export market for commercial farms and semi-commercial villages, as well as by the differences in the available grazing land, facility designs/quality, and traditional customs in the village systems. The results indicate an advantage of commercialization over communalization.

One key area where animal welfare may relate to productivity is through reproductive performance. This study assesses welfare on 25 extensively managed pastoral New Zealand beef farms, and explores the relationship between welfare and reproductive performance. Relationships between welfare measures and key reproductive performance indicators (pregnancy rate, weaning rate, mating period and bull: cow ratio) are investigated using an exploratory principal components analysis and linear regression model. Seven welfare measures (thinness, poor rumen fill, dirtiness, blindness, mortality, health checks of pregnant cows and yarding frequency/year) showed a potential influence on reproductive performance, and lameness was retained individually as a potential measure. Mean pregnancy rates, in both 2018 (PD18) and 2017 (PD17), were ~91% and mean weaning rate was 84%. Of the welfare measures, only lameness had a direct association with pregnancy rate, as well as a confounding effect on the association between mating period and pregnancy rate. The bull: cow ration (mean 1:31) and reproductive conditions (dystocia, abortion, vaginal prolapse) did not influence pregnancy and weaning rates. In the study population, there was no clear association between welfare and reproductive performance, except for the confounding effects of lameness.

One key area where animal welfare may relate to productivity is through reproductive performance. Welfare was assessed on 25 extensively managed pastoral New Zealand beef farms and the relationship between welfare and reproductive performance was explored. Relationships between welfare measures and key reproductive performance indicators (pregnancy rate, weaning rate, mating period and bull: cow ratio) were investigated using an exploratory Principal Components Analysis and linear regression model. Seven welfare measures (thinness, poor rumen fill, dirtiness, blindness, mortality, health checks of pregnant cows and yarding frequency/year) showed potential influence on reproductive performance, and lameness was retained individually as a potential measure. Mean pregnancy rates in both 2018 (PD18) and 2017 (PD17) were ~91% and mean weaning rate was 84%. Of the welfare measures, only lameness had a direct association with pregnancy rate, as well as confounding effect on the association between mating period and pregnancy rate. The bull: cow ration (mean 1:31) and reproductive conditions (dystocia, abortion, vaginal prolapse) did not influence pregnancy and weaning rates. In the study population there was no clear association between welfare and reproductive performance, except for the confounding effects of lameness.

Potential measures suitable for assessing welfare in pasture-based beef cow&ndash, calf systems in New Zealand were identified from Welfare Quality and UC Davis Cow-Calf protocols. These were trialled on a single farm and a potential protocol of 50 measures created. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of the measures included in this protocol on multiple farms in order, to develop a credible animal welfare assessment protocol for pasture-based cow&ndash, calf farms systems in New Zealand. The assessment protocol was trialled on 25 farms over two visits and took a total of 2.5 h over both visits for a 100-cow herd. The first visit in autumn included an animal welfare assessment of 3366 cows during pregnancy scanning, while the second visit in winter included a questionnaire-guided interview to assess cattle management and health, and a farm resource evaluation. Through a process of eliminating unsuitable measures, adjustments of modifiable measures and retaining feasible measures, a protocol with 32 measures was created. The application of the protocol on the farms showed that not all measures are feasible for on-farm assessment, and categorisation of identified animal welfare measures into scores that indicate a threshold of acceptable and non-acceptable welfare standards is necessary.

The intention of this study was to develop standards for a welfare assessment protocol by validating potential categorisation thresholds for the assessment of beef farms in New Zealand. Thirty-two measures, based on the Welfare Quality and the University of California (UC) Davis Cow-Calf protocols, plus some indicators specific to New Zealand, that were assessed during routine yardings of 3366 cattle on 25 cow-calf beef farms in the Waikato region were categorised on a three-point welfare score, where 0 denotes good welfare, 1 marginal welfare, and 2 poor/unacceptable welfare. Initial categorisation of welfare thresholds was based upon the authors&rsquo, perception of acceptable welfare standards and the consensus of the literature, with subsequent derived thresholds being based upon the poorest 15% and best 50% of farms for each measure. Imposed thresholds for lameness, dystocia, and mortality rate were retained in view of the significance of these conditions for the welfare of affected cattle, while higher derived thresholds appeared more appropriate for dirtiness and faecal staining which were thought to have less significant welfare implications for cattle on pasture. Fearful/agitated and running behaviours were above expectations, probably due to the infrequent yarding of cows, and thus the derived thresholds were thought to be more appropriate. These thresholds provide indicators to farmers and farm advisors regarding the levels at which intervention and remediation is required for a range of welfare measures.

The importance of professional skills teaching and assessment within veterinary education has recently been highlighted in the veterinary education literature. This academic discourse follows the acknowledgement by both veterinary employers and graduates themselves that new graduates often lack the professional skills and attitudes needed for success in clinical veterinary practice. Traditionally, veterinary curricula have focused solely on teaching content knowledge and clinical skills; however, veterinary education curricula clearly must also contain dedicated instruction in veterinary professionalism. This must include instruction in communication skills, emotional intelligence, cultural awareness, teamwork abilities, dispute resolution strategies and the awareness that multiple approaches may be required to resolve challenges. It has become unrealistic to expect students to rely on observation and role modelling to foster the development of professionalism. There is a need to incorporate explicit learning activities that reinforce the knowledge, attitudes, values, and behaviours that characterise veterinary professionalism. While role modelling remains a key aspect of the veterinary professionalism learning that takes place through the informal/hidden curriculum, many students have often had more experiences with negative role models than with positive ones. This can lead to the development of a tolerance or normalisation of negative behaviours and a decline in students’ perceptions of professionalism. This article aims to continue recent conversations on professional skills teaching within veterinary education, define what is meant by veterinary professionalism and consider the plethora of terminology used when trying to establish a definition, highlight those attributes of veterinary professionalism deemed important by veterinary stakeholders for career success and employability, and explore the challenges of incorporating the teaching and assessment of professional traits into veterinary education.

The aim of this study was to evaluate how the addition of a progesterone device to a gonadotropin-prostaglandin-gonadotropin (GPG) programme in dairy cows with postpartum anovulatory anoestrus affected ovarian follicular dynamics and the synchronisation of ovulation. Twenty-two dairy cows were randomly assigned to either GPG (Day 0: 100 μg GnRH, Day 7: 500 μg PGF2α, Day 9: 100 μg GnRH, Day 0-7: Day 10) or GPG with a progesterone device from Day 0 to 7 (GPG+P4). Ovarian follicular dynamics and ovulation synchronisation were studied using transrectal ultrasonography. Compared to the GPG+P4, GPG alone resulted in a relatively larger mean dominant follicle size and a higher mean peripheral oestradiol concentration (74.9 pg ∗ day vs. 60.6 pg ∗ day; P=0.002); however, there was much greater variation in follicle diameter in the group treated with GPG (7.8-22 mm vs. 10.8-17.5mm in GPG+P4) and this may, at least partly explain why only 7/11 cows in this group ovulated within 48 h of the Day 9 GnRH injection compared to 10/10 of the cows in the GPG+P4 group. These results suggest that differences in follicular dynamics between GPG and GPG+P4 programmes are not a key driver of the difference in conception rate, but further studies are required to better assess the role of ovulation synchronisation.

Curriculum managers of the Bachelor of Veterinary Science program at Massey University have undertaken major curricular review every 5–10 years and also made adjustments to the program as a result of student and other stakeholder feedback. New curricula introduced in 2003 and 2013 aimed to address specific stakeholder requirements in the veterinary, agricultural, and allied industries. The new curricula initially sought to strengthen clinical skills but more recently focused on the core professional skill of client communication, the integration of knowledge and clinical skills, and a better understanding of the effects of herd health interventions on farm economics. The need for greater emphasis on the veterinarian's role in One Health at the intersection of humans, animals, and the environment was also recognized. The most recent curricular review was preceded by faculty enlightenment and discussion about innovative models of medical education with a focus on student-centered and integrated learning. A new curriculum was introduced from 2013 that presented more material in its clinical context, attempted to manage curriculum overload through a focus on Day One Competences, implemented vertical and horizontal integration of subjects, and introduced more problem-based and student-centered learning. Regular reviews of student workload were needed to ensure that the objectives were achieved, but student feedback has generally been positive.

A major review of the Bachelor of Veterinary Science (BVSc) program at University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka was undertaken under the umbrella of the Office International des Epizooties (OIE; World Organisation for Animal Health) Veterinary Education Twinning Program with the partnership of Massey University, New Zealand. The review process started with widespread consultation amongst the Sri Lankan veterinary profession and other stakeholders to identify areas in which changes were needed to the current competencies of veterinary graduates. The review was undertaken as a formal process of the University of Peradeniya, in alignment with the requirements and expectations of the Sri Lanka Qualifications Framework (SLQF). Content was aligned with the recommendations of the OIE on the competencies of graduating veterinarians and projections of national and global standards for the veterinary profession for at least the next two decades. Pedagogical revision has been based upon current best practices in veterinary medical education worldwide. Revision of clinical teaching has similarly aimed to ensure that graduates are well-equipped to meet the diverse expectations of animal owners in Sri Lanka. It has aimed to increase the scope of clinical teaching by drawing upon the breadth of clinical resources that are available throughout the country. Key changes to the program included the extension of its duration by one academic year in order to allow for a year of uninterrupted clinical teaching, alignment and amalgamation of related material, the introduction of problem-based learning modules, a significant reduction in lecture content with a parallel increase in tutorial and practical contents, elaboration of several courses related to industries that have recently gained improved importance in the country (e.g. equine, aquaculture, poultry), and introduction of several new courses to cover topics that had not been adequately covered previously. Finally, a program-long thread of material relating to the professional, ethical and inter-personal behaviour of veterinarians has been introduced. Presentation of the revised curriculum to the profession in Sri Lanka has been met with a high level of enthusiasm and a willingness to participate in its clinical teaching.

Farm animal welfare assessment protocols use different measures depending on production systems and the purpose of the assessment. There is no standardized validated animal welfare protocol for the assessment of beef cattle farms in New Zealand, despite the importance of beef exports to the country. The aim of this study was therefore to identify welfare measures that would be suitable for an animal welfare assessment protocol for use in extensive pasture-based cow&ndash, calf beef cattle systems in New Zealand. The proposed animal welfare assessment measures were selected from the Welfare Quality protocol and the rangeland-based UC Davis Cow&ndash, Calf Health and Handling assessment protocol. Measures that were deemed impractical and/or unsuitable were excluded from the protocol. After testing the applicability of selected measures at one farm, additional measures that were deemed to be practical to undertake in New Zealand were identified and incorporated into the protocol. The intention was to identify animal welfare indicators that were assessable in the yard during a single farm visit, a questionnaire guided interview, and a farm resource assessment visit that evaluated cattle health and management. Further testing of the 50 measures that were identified as being appropriate will be undertaken on commercial beef farms to develop a practicable welfare protocol for extensive pasture-based beef systems.

Summary Reasons for performing study: There is little information on age, weight and time of year of puberty in Thoroughbred horses, and the interpretation of such data is difficult due to the wide variety of descriptions of the onset of puberty. Objectives: To examine the age, bodyweight and date of onset of puberty in Thoroughbreds born in spring and autumn. Methods: Bodyweight data and blood samples were collected in 59 pasture-raised Thoroughbred horses. Five autumn-born and 18 spring-born colts and 3 autumn-born and 33 spring-born fillies were examined from birth to age 13 and 17 months. A testosterone concentration >2 s.d. above the baseline concentration was indicative of onset of puberty in colts; and progesterone concentration >2 ng/ml and at least 3 times greater than the previous progesterone concentration was indicative of a first ovulation in fillies. Results: Spring-born fillies and colts were older and heavier than autumn-born fillies and colts at puberty. The age at onset of puberty in spring- and autumn-born foals was 291-408 days and 212-270 days, respectively. The weight at puberty in spring-born foals was 302-409 kg, and in autumn-born foals was 277-344 kg. However, the mean date at onset of puberty was not significantly different between spring- and autumn-born horses, with puberty occurring in October (New Zealand spring). Conclusions and potential relevance: Seasonal changes in photoperiod affect the timing of onset of puberty, provided a minimum threshold bodyweight has been reached. Springborn horses reached this threshold weight during the winter months and remained reproductively inactive until after the stimulus of increasing day-length occurred. The autumn-born horses reached the threshold weight to support puberty at the same time as stimulatory photoperiod and, therefore, reached puberty significantly younger and lighter than the spring-born horses.

To investigate ovarian follicular and luteal activity during the postpartum period of cows genetically selected for high or low mature bodyweight, in relation to metabolic and reproductive endocrine parameters, to determine whether there are differences between strains that could affect fertility outcomes.The presence of folliclesor =5 mm diameter and luteal structures was mapped in the ovaries of 12 high (heavy-strain) and 12 low (light-strain) mature bodyweight cows by daily trans-rectal ultrasonography from Day 7 postpartum until the end of their first normal oestrous cycle. Blood samples were collected daily, for measurement of concentrations of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), progesterone, growth hormone (GH), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), and insulin. Intervals to first ovulation were calculated from ultrasonography data.Heavy-strain cows had shorter intervals than light-strain cows from calving to the emergence of the first (9.0 (SE 0.9) vs 12.4 (SE 1.3) days) and second (16.4 (SE 1.8) vs 20.6 (SE 1.6) days) dominant follicles (p0.05). Concentrations of FSH in heavy-strain cows prior to the emergence of the second, third and fourth dominant follicles were higher than in light-strain cows (p0.05). Heavy-strain cows were more likely to have a large (15 mm diameter) follicle earlier than light-strain cows (p0.01). Concentrations of insulin and IGF-1, but not those of GH, were higher in heavy- than light-strain cows during the postpartum period (p=0.01 and p=0.02, respectively), and concentrations of both on Day 6 were inversely related to the time of emergence of the first dominant follicle (p0.01). Concentrations of progesterone were similar in both strains of cow until Day 10 of the first oestrous cycle, but thereafter were higher in light- than heavy-strain cows until Day 16. Progesterone concentrations in heavy-strain cows declined earlier and more rapidly than in their lighter counterparts.These results indicate that there is a rapid postpartum resumption of follicular activity in both heavy- and light-strain cows, but that there is an earlier emergence of dominant follicles and ovulation in the former. Differences in luteal function, in terms of lower dioestrus progesterone concentrations and an earlier onset of luteolysis, in heavy- than light-strain cows might be sufficient to impair the fertility of the former.

To describe the reproductive performance of beef cow herds in New Zealand and to develop reference ranges for assessing the reproductive performance of individual herds from in-calf rates, that take into account variation in the length of mating periods.Veterinary practices throughout New Zealand involved in beef cattle work were asked to collect reproductive data from seasonally calving beef cow herds mated in the spring of 2001 through to the end of summer of 2002. An estimate of conception rate (termed calculated conception rate: CCR) was determined for each herd, assuming that the conception rate was constant for each 21-day interval of the mating period. The algebraic relationship between CCR and in-calf rate at pregnancy testing was defined for mating periods of different durations and, therefore, given the in-calf rate and the duration of the mating period, a CCR could be determined for each herd. Expected pregnancy rates were recalculated from CCR data for a range of mating period durations to produce a look-up table for assessing herd reproductive performance. Reproductive data describing regional differences in in-calf rates and CCRs, bull:cow ratios, breed characteristics, start dates of mating and durations of mating periods were summarised. The effect of study variables in explaining CCRs was examined using a general linear model (GLM).Data were collected from 1,005 beef cow herds distributed throughout New Zealand. The median in-calf rate for all herds was 91%, the lower quartile wasor =88% and the upper quartileor =94%. The mean CCR for herds with complete reproductive data (862) was 55% (SD 11), the lower quartile wasor =48% and upper quartileor =61%. Median in-calf rates for 2-year-old heifers (mated at approximately 15 months of age), 3-year-old heifers (mated at approximately 27 months of age), and mixed-age cows were 90%, 91% and 92%, respectively. The study variables that accounted for significant variation in breeding group CCR in a multivariate GLM were 'region' (p0.01) and 'date mating commenced' (0.01). The adjusted R2 for the model was 0.055.The reproductive reference range produced provides veterinarians and herd managers with a quantitative method for assessing reproductive performance of beef cow herds compared with industry averages, from in-calf rates at the time of pregnancy testing and durations of mating periods.

The potential fertility of bulls can be evaluated in the field by assessment of mating ability and physical examination. Both methods are useful for screening out low fertility bulls, although neither allows precise determination of the pregnancy rates that bulls actually achieve. Observations of coitus, libido testing and service capacity testing are the main methods of assessing mating ability in the field and, although not reliable for virgin bulls, are widely used for older bulls. Of the traits that are assessed during physical examination, those most closely correlated with fertility are scrotal circumference and the semen quality parameters of motility and morphology. Whilst these methods allow reasonable accuracy in determining the fertility potential of an individual bull, they do not take into account other managemental constraint to bulls' fertility. Although these are reasonable well understood for beef herds, the managemental factors that affect the performance of natural service sires in dairy herds are poorly understood.

This study evaluated the effect of removing the GnRH injection on Day 0 or the progesterone (P4) device from a GnRH, PGF2α, GnRH (GPG) + P4 program on follicular dynamics and synchronization of ovulation in dairy heifers. Friesian and Friesian × Jersey heifers, in autumn 2009 (n = 35) and spring 2010 (n = 38), were randomly allocated to one of three estrus synchronization programs. The first group (GPG + P4) received 100 μg GnRH on Day 0, a P4-releasing intravaginal device from Days 0 to 7, 500 μg PGF2α on Day 7, and 100 μg GnRH on Day 9, followed by fixed-time artificial insemination 16 to 20 hours later. The program for group 2 (GPG) was the same as group 1 with the exclusion of the P4 device. Group 3 (P + G + P4) was treated the same as group 1, except for the absence of the GnRH treatment on Day 0. Ultrasonography was performed on Days 0, 1, 2, 3, and 7 and then at 12 hourly intervals on Days 9 to 11. Dominant follicle size was affected by both treatment and day, and there was also a significant interaction (P

To evaluate the efficacy of a programme using oestradiol benzoate, progesterone and the prostaglandin-F2 (PG) analogue, cloprostenol, to synchronise oestrus and ovulation in dairy cows, compared with a programme using a gonadotropinreleasing hormone (GnRH) agonist, buserelin, and cloprostenol.Twenty non-lactating dairy cows, at random stages of the oestrus cycle, were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 treatments. In Treatment 1 ( OPPG; n=10), cows were injected with 2 mg oestradiol benzoate intramuscularly (IM) plus 200 mg progesterone subcutaneously (SC) on Day 0, followed by 500 microg cloprostenol IM on Day 9 and 1 mg oestradiol benzoate on Day 10. In Treatment 2 (GPG; n=10), cows were injected with 10 microg buserelin IM on Day 0, 500 microg cloprostenol IM on Day 7 and 10 microg buserelin on Day 9. The ovaries of all cows were examined by ultrasonography, using an 8 MHz probe, from 5 days before the initial treatment until ovulation. Cows were observed for oestrus 3 times daily for 7 days after cloprostenol treatment. Blood samples were collected daily for determination of progesterone, and 6-hourly for 36 h after the second oestradiol or buserelin injection for the determination of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinising hormone (LH) concentrations.The percentage of cows observed in oestrus was higher in the OPPG group than in the GPG group (100% vs 55.6%, p=0.018). Treatment with either short-acting progesterone plus oestradiol benzoate or buserelin was followed by atresia or ovulation of the dominant follicle. Emergence of a new follicular wave occurred earlier (p0.001) in the GPG group (2.2+/-0.2 days) than in the OPPG group (3.6+/-0.2 days). There was no significant difference between treatment groups in the variation of time of follicular wave emergence or size of the largest follicles at either the time of initial treatment (10.8+/-1.4 mm vs 11.1+/-0.8 mm), cloprostenol treatment (13.8+/-0.7 mm vs 14.0+/-1.3 mm) or of ovulation (15.4+/-0.7 mm vs 17.6+/-1.1 mm; p=0.10). The LH surge occurred sooner after the second injection of buserelin (4.0+/-1.0 h) than after the second injection of oestradiol benzoate (22.8+/-1.2 h; p0.001). The interval between the second injection of oestradiol benzoate or buserelin and ovulation did not differ significantly between treatment groups (1.7+/-0.3 days vs 1.6+/-0.2 days; p=0.69).The use of short-term progesterone treatment, combined with oestradiol benzoate for follicular wave synchronisation, and cloprostenol to cause lysis of residual luteal tissue, is a promising alternative to established methods of oestrus synchronisation in cows.

Optimism, self-esteem, satisfaction with social support, and coping strategies were examined in relation to study-related subjective workload, stress, and life satisfaction. Questionnaires were distributed to students in the second, third, and fourth years of the five-year BVSc program at Massey University. One hundred fifty usable responses were received. Most respondents were female. Students with more optimism and self-esteem were less stressed than those who were more pessimistic or lower in self-esteem. Students who reported having heavy subjective workloads were more stressed, whereas students with higher self-esteem experienced more well-being. Men and women did not differ on any of the study variables, and there were no differences between students in different years of study. Recommendations include retaining initiatives to build well-being that are already in place. Support resources exist within the university, but students are often reluctant to seek help, so staff need to continue to identify students in need of additional help who might benefit from referral to a health practitioner. Where practicable, support service providers may be able to contribute actively to teaching. As well as helping students build effective social and coping strategies, this approach will provide students with additional information about the services that are available. Students may not see workshops on interpersonal skills or stress management as relevant unless they are linked to their immediate concerns.

High concentrations of dietary nitrogen have been associated with reductions in the fertility of dairy cows, but the evidence is not conclusive and many studies have shown little or no effect. This paper reviews recent investigations of the effect of rapidly degradable sources of nitrogen on parameters of fertility, and concludes that high levels of dietary nitrogen do not routinely reduce fertility, even at intakes above those in normal dairy cow diets. It also concludes that cows may be able to adapt to high nitrogen diets so that diets that may reduce their fertility when introduced at critical periods, for example, when they are inseminated, do not reduce it when introduced at an earlier stage.

Tim Parkinson graduated from Bristol University in 1979. He spent three years in mixed, mainly dairy, practice, before joining the Hampshire Cattle Breeders' Society as veterinary officer. While there, he obtained the diploma in bovine reproduction from Liverpool University. He then moved to Nottingham University's School of Agriculture, Sutton Bonington, as a research assistant and, in 1988, gained a PhD for his studies. The following year he was appointed lecturer in veterinary obstetrics and diseases of reproduction in the department of veterinary surgery at Bristol. His research interests are in the endocrinology of male reproduction, fertilisation and the establishment of pregnancy. THE indications for induction of parturitioni in cattle may be broadly divided into therapeutic and managemental. Of these, the most widely practised are induction of abortion in early gestation. usually following misalliance, and induction of parturition close to full-term, as a means of preventing the excessive fetal growth associated with gestations prolonged beyond 282 days.