ORCID Profile
0000-0002-4732-3283
Current Organisation
Murdoch University
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Publisher: Wiley
Date: 04-2021
DOI: 10.1111/AVJ.13061
Publisher: Society for Theriogenology
Date: 30-05-2023
DOI: 10.58292/CT.V15.9595
Abstract: Live cow artificial insemination (AI) opportunities are limited at training institutions, and this study explored a novel approach to better prepare students for the task. Since the arm and wrist movement while playing foosball (FB) is like picking up the cervix during AIs, the effect of playing FB on veterinary students’ AI performance was investigated. Objective was to determine if playing FB would improve students bovine AI ability through muscle memory development. Fourth year (of a 5 year course) veterinary students (n = 28) either took part in the FB cohort (n = 17) or the nonFB cohort (n = 11). The FB cohort played 30 minutes of FB 3 times/week for 8 weeks. Both cohorts then participated in AI training using bovine cadaver uteruses before they were assessed on their ability to place an AI pipette into a live cow’s uterus. Although there was no difference between cohorts (p = 0.58) there was a higher proportion of successful students in the FB (0.35) compared to the nonFB cohort (0.18). Small cohort size, the fact that only 11 students completed the allocated FB play time, and participants’ transrectal palpation (TRP) inexperience may have influenced the result. This should, however, not discourage further investigations into alternative teaching approaches. Furthermore, this study highlighted the importance of assessing competence for clinical skills that are required to learn new skills first (TRP in this case) before attempting to teach a new, more advanced skill (AI in this case). This is likely to be applicable for many other clinical skills.
Publisher: CSIRO Publishing
Date: 2007
DOI: 10.1071/RDV19N1AB11
Abstract: The aim of this study was to determine if the addition of equine seminal plasma to epididymal semen enhances its fertility before or after freezing. Thirty-two mares were randomly assigned to 5 stallions 3 stallions were kept in Pretoria, each having 7 mares, and 2 stallions were kept at Cornell, one having 6 mares and the other 5. Mares were synchronized using 10 daily IM progesterone and estradiol injections an Ovuplant® implant (26 mg of deslorelin Peptech Animal Health, Sydney, NSW, Australia) was inserted under the mucosa of the vaginal vestibulum once a follicle reached a diameter of 35 mm implants were removed after ovulation. Mares were inseminated 30 h after implant insertion. Each insemination dose consisted of 200 million progressively motile sperm and was deposited into the uterine body. Following insemination, mares were examined for ovulation at 6 hourly intervals. Fourteen days after ovulation, mares were examined for pregnancy by transrectal ultrasonography and treated with PGF2α to induce the next estrus. Seminal plasma was collected from the stallions used in the trial prior to castration, frozen, and stored. In Pretoria, stallions were castrated and one epididymal tail was flushed with seminal plasma and the other with skim milk extender in the first cycle, half of the mares were inseminated with one of the two sperm s les. In Cornell, testes of each stallion were removed 3 weeks apart, and all mares were inseminated first with one and 3 weeks later with the other semen s le. Mares were inseminated during consecutive estrous cycles using the following sperm types: fresh epididymal sperm that had been exposed to seminal plasma (G1: 4 mares per stallion in Pretoria, 6 and 5 mares per stallion at Cornell) fresh epididymal sperm that had never been exposed to seminal plasma (G2: 3 mares per stallion in Pretoria, 6 and 5 mares per stallion at Cornell) frozen–thawed ejaculated sperm (G3) frozen–thawed epididymal sperm that had been exposed to seminal plasma prior to freezing (G4) and frozen–thawed epididymal sperm that had never been exposed to seminal plasma (G5). The results of inseminations with fresh epididymal semen (G1–2) of 5 stallions and the preliminary results of inseminations with frozen–thawed epididymal semen (G3–5) of 2 stallions are summarized in the Table 1. Cycles where ovulation did not occur within 12 h after insemination were excluded. The pregnancy rate of mares inseminated with fresh epididymal sperm of G1 was significantly higher (chi-square test P & 0.05) than that of mares of G2. The pregnancy rate of mares inseminated with frozen–thawed ejaculated semen (G3) was similar to that of mares inseminated with frozen–thawed epididymal semen of G4 and G5 (P = 0.3). Based on these preliminary results, we conclude that the fertility of fresh epididymal sperm can be enhanced by exposure to equine seminal plasma. To determine if the same holds true for frozen–thawed epididymal sperm, more inseminations must be performed. Table 1.Results of inseminations with various semen types
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 03-2010
DOI: 10.1016/J.ANIREPROSCI.2009.06.009
Abstract: The use of epididymal stallion spermatozoa for routine artificial insemination can secure easy future use of valuable genetics after unforeseen death or injury of a valuable stallion. The aims of this study were to (1) directly compare pregnancy rates for fresh and frozen-thawed stallion epididymal and ejaculated spermatozoa after conventional artificial insemination and (2) to investigate the effect of seminal plasma on the fertility of epididymal spermatozoa after insemination. Twenty-one mares were randomly assigned to three stallions. Mares were inseminated at five consecutive oestrous periods using fresh ejaculated spermatozoa (Fr-E, n=18), fresh epididymal spermatozoa that had been exposed to seminal plasma (Fr-SP+, n=12) or fresh epididymal spermatozoa that had never been exposed to seminal plasma (Fr-SP-, n=9), frozen-thawed ejaculated spermatozoa (Cr-E, n=18), frozen-thawed epididymal spermatozoa that had been exposed to seminal plasma prior to freezing (Cr-SP+, n=18) and frozen-thawed epididymal spermatozoa that had never been exposed to seminal plasma (Cr-SP-, n=15). Pregnancy examinations were performed 14 days after each ovulation. Pregnancy rates were 55.6% (Fr-E, 10/18), 75% (Fr-SP+, 9/12), 22.2% (Fr-SP-, 2/9), 38.9% (Cr-E, 7/18), 27.8% (Cr-SP+, 5/18) and 6.7% (Cr-SP-, 1/15). Overall pregnancy rates for fresh and frozen-thawed epididymal spermatozoa that had been exposed to seminal plasma were significantly better than for epididymal spermatozoa that had never been exposed to seminal plasma (P<0.05). We conclude that the exposure of stallion epididymal spermatozoa to seminal plasma improves pregnancy rates.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 25-09-2020
DOI: 10.1136/VR.105909
Publisher: University of Toronto Press Inc. (UTPress)
Date: 05-2018
Abstract: To optimize bovine pregnancy diagnosis (PD) training, factors influencing student performance were investigated. The objective was to determine whether training method, gender, background (farm, urban, or mixed), previous experience in bovine PD, and current career interest influenced the accuracy of bovine PD by trans-rectal palpation (TRP). Fourth-year (of a 6-year program) veterinary students (n=138) received one PD training session in groups using either simulator training on Breed'n Betsy (BB) or training on live cows (C). Students completed a questionnaire on gender, background, and career interest. Students' PD accuracy (pregnancy status and stage) was determined after training when each student palpated six cows with known pregnancy status. Students' accuracy in determining pregnancy status was measured as sensitivity and specificity (the ability to correctly identify the presence and absence of pregnancy respectively). Factors that influenced overall accuracy with a higher student sensitivity of bovine PD by TRP were training method, farming background, an interest in a mixed animal career, and stage of gestation. Gender of students and previous experience in bovine PD did not have an influence. Training on BB simulators was associated with lower student sensitivity for pregnancy detection in cows months pregnant. Student sensitivity for pregnancy detection in cows months pregnant was similar for training on BB simulators and live cows. No evaluated factors were significantly associated with specificity of PD. Teaching efforts focusing on specificity of PD and repeated simulator-based training in conjunction with live cow exposure are recommended.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 08-2019
DOI: 10.1136/VR.105022
Abstract: Bovine pregnancy diagnosis (PD) by transrectal palpation (TRP) is one of the most frequently performed procedures in bovine practice, and an important competency for veterinary graduates. It is currently not known if pre-existing TRP skills on non-pregnant cows can be used to predict students' future PD accuracy. The study objective was to evaluate if TRP objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) scores can predict students' future PD accuracy.Fourth year (of a six-year programme) veterinary students (n=128) received TRP and PD training on Breed'n Betsy (BB) simulators and live cows. Students' TRP skills were assessed using a live cow TRP OSCE after completion of the fourth year training. The same students received additional TRP (BB and live cows) and PD (BB) training sessions in the first semester of their fifth year. PD accuracy was assessed after the additional TRP and PD training, five months after the TRP OSCE assessment and measured as sensitivity and specificity (the ability to correctly identify the presence and absence of pregnancy, respectively). Each student palpated six cows transrectally to diagnose pregnancy status and stage for the PD assessment. The TRP OSCE results were analysed as predictors for students' PD accuracy.Students with 'competent palpation skills' on the TRP OSCE had higher PD specificity. The in idual OSCE components that were predictive of higher PD accuracy were students' ability to estimate ovarian size, identify uterine position and exclude intrauterine fluid. It was concluded that a TRP OSCE has the ability to predict students' future PD accuracy.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 02-2011
DOI: 10.1016/J.ANIREPROSCI.2010.11.017
Abstract: Fresh and post-thaw parameters (motility, morphology and viability) of stallion epididymal spermatozoa that have been and have not been exposed to seminal plasma were evaluated, and directly compared to fresh and post-thaw parameters of ejaculated spermatozoa. Six sperm categories of each stallion (n=4) were evaluated for motility, morphology and viability. These categories were fresh ejaculated spermatozoa (Fr-E), fresh epididymal spermatozoa that had been exposed to seminal plasma (Fr-SP+), fresh epididymal spermatozoa that had never been exposed to seminal plasma (Fr-SP-), frozen-thawed ejaculated spermatozoa (Cr-E), frozen-thawed epididymal spermatozoa that had been exposed to seminal plasma prior to freezing (Cr-SP+) and frozen-thawed epididymal spermatozoa that had never been exposed to seminal plasma (Cr-SP-). Results show that seminal plasma stimulates initial motility of fresh epididymal stallion spermatozoa while this difference in progressive motility is no longer present post-thaw and that progressive motility of fresh or frozen-thawed ejaculated stallion spermatozoa is not always a good indicator for post-thaw progressive motility of epididymal spermatozoa. This study shows that seminal plasma has a positive influence on the incidence of overall sperm defects, midpiece reflexes and distal cytoplasmic droplets in frozen-thawed stallion epididymal spermatozoa while the occurance of midpiece reflexes is likely to be linked to distal cytoplasmic droplets. Furthermore, seminal plasma does not have an influence on viability of fresh and frozen-thawed morphologically normal epididymal spermatozoa. We recommend the retrograde flushing technique using seminal plasma as flushing medium to harvest and freeze stallion epididymal spermatozoa.
Publisher: University of Toronto Press Inc. (UTPress)
Date: 12-2021
Abstract: The unusual and tiring physical activity of bovine transrectal palpation (TRP) requires a novel approach to improve students’ TRP and pregnancy diagnosis (PD) skills. It has been shown that students who participated in an exercise program and students who had a grip strength (GS) of more than 30 kilograms performed better in bovine PDs. Participation in the exercise program increased students’ sensitivity (ability to identify pregnant cows) but did not increase total arm muscle strength. To identify which muscles are used during TRPs and to improve the exercise program, an electromyographic (EMG) analysis was used to identify muscle activation patterns and muscle activity levels during bovine TRPs. Eight subject matter experts (SMEs) each palpated two live cows and one Breed’n Betsy ® rectal examination simulator while an EMG Triggered Stimulator recorded muscle activity. Muscle activation was higher for forearm muscles compared with all other examined muscle groups ( p .001) was higher during retraction of the uterus and palpation of left and right uterine horn, compared with palpation of cervix, uterine body, left ovary, and right ovary ( p .001) and showed an endurance pattern. Findings have been used to modify the previously developed exercise program in effort to improve students’ TRP and PD skills. The Bovine PD Improvement Exercise Program is available to students through an online application (icarus.up.ac.za/vetmlp/) and aims to not only improve GS and TRP accuracy but also stamina and well-being while adding fun to busy study schedules.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 10-2018
DOI: 10.1016/J.THERIOGENOLOGY.2018.07.013
Abstract: Persistent breeding-induced endometritis (PBIE) or delayed uterine clearance (DUC) are major causes of mare subfertility. Oxytocin and its receptor are thought to play significant roles in the pathogenesis of DUC but the specific roles of oxytocin receptor (OR) distribution and gene expression remain undefined. In this study both OR distribution and gene expression in the endometrium, myometrium and cervix during both luteal and non-luteal phases in non-pregnant mares (n = 27) of differing age (young: 2-9 years, n = 17 old: > 10 years, n = 10) and endometrial biopsy score were described using immunohistochemistry (IHC) and quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), respectively. Immunohistochemistry showed a similar pattern of OR distribution in uterus and cervix, with the exception of the glandular epithelium, absent in the cervix. Uterine ORs were localized in endometrial luminal and glandular epithelia, transmural vascular endothelium, sub-epithelial and peri-glandular stromal cells and myometrial smooth muscle cells. The OR labeling intensity was consistently greatest in the vascular endothelium. Real-time qPCR showed a higher OR gene expression in myometrium compared to cervix (P = 0.001) and endometrium (P = 0.009). There was no difference in OR gene expression between cervix and endometrium (P = 1.0). Oxytocin receptor gene expression was significantly higher during the non-luteal phase in both combined uterine tissues (endometrium and myometrium) and myometrium. Oxytocin receptor distribution and gene expression were not influenced by a mare's age or endometrial biopsy score. As endometrial biopsy score and mare age were not predictors of OR gene expression, deficient OR gene expression is unlikely to be associated with DUC.
Publisher: InTech
Date: 22-02-2012
DOI: 10.5772/2124
Publisher: University of Toronto Press Inc. (UTPress)
Date: 04-2021
Abstract: Bovine pregnancy diagnosis (PD) by transrectal palpation (TRP) is an important skill for veterinary graduates. Factors influencing students’ PD accuracy were investigated to optimize bovine PD by TRP training without increasing live animal exposure. The objective was to determine whether arm length and strength, proprioception, and exposure to a 6-week exercise training program were significantly associated with students’ PD accuracy. Veterinary students ( n = 128) who had previously received formal theoretical and practical training in bovine TRP and PD (live cows and TRP simulators) were assessed for PD accuracy on live cows. Prior to assessment, arm muscle strength measurement, an exercise program, and additional TRP sessions on Breed’n Betsy ® simulators and live cows were offered to the students. Seventy-eight students volunteered to participate in the arm length measurement, muscle strength, and proprioception testing. Of these, 35 randomly allocated students completed a 6-week exercise program, after which muscle strength was reassessed. Each student performed PDs on six cows of which the pregnancy status, ranging from 6 weeks to 9 months pregnant or not pregnant, was predetermined by an experienced veterinarian. PD accuracy was measured as sensitivity and specificity, being defined as the proportion of pregnant or nonpregnant cows, respectively, correctly identified by the student. It is concluded that hand grip strength and participation in an exercise program are significant predictors of veterinary students’ PD accuracy. Implementation of an exercise program aimed at improving grip strength in the veterinary curriculum is a novel approach to improve bovine TRP and PD training.
Publisher: University of Toronto Press Inc. (UTPress)
Date: 2020
Abstract: This study evaluated whether one supervised simulated ovariohysterectomy (OVH) using a locally developed canine OVH model, decreased surgical time for final-year veterinary students’ first live-animal OVH. We also investigated student perceptions of the model as a teaching aid. Final-year veterinary students were exposed to an OVH model (Group M, n = 48) and compared to students without the exposure (Group C, n = 58). Both groups were instructed similarly on performing an OVH using a lecture, student notes, a video, and a demonstration OVH performed by a veterinary surgeon. Students in Group M then performed an OVH on the model before performing a live-animal OVH. Students in Group C had no exposure to the OVH model before performing a live-animal OVH. Surgical time data were analyzed using linear regression. Students in Group M completed a questionnaire on the OVH model after performing their first live-animal OVH. The OVH model exposure reduced students’ first canine live-animal OVH surgery time ( p = .009) for students without prior OVH experience. All students ( n = 48) enjoyed performing the procedure on the mode students practicing an OVH on the model felt more confident (92%) and less stressed (73%) when performing their first live-animal OVH. Results suggest that the canine OVH model may be helpful as a clinical training tool and we concluded that the OVH model was effective at decreasing students’ first OVH surgical time.
Publisher: Society for Theriogenology
Date: 30-05-2023
DOI: 10.58292/CT.V15.9591
Abstract: Pregnancy diagnosis by transrectal palpation (TRP) is a frequently performed procedure in bovine practice and an important competency for veterinary graduates. Student training for these skills has been identified as challenging, and reported training outcomes highlighted that students’ pregnancy diagnosis accuracy was an area that needed improvement. This led to a series of investigations evaluating specific teaching approaches aimed at optimizing TRP training and improving learning outcomes while decreasing the number of palpations needed to become competent, or in other words to ‘fast-track’ the transrectal palpation skill learning process. Gathered data were used to develop and implement research-based innovative teaching ideas, including optimized simulator training, in-training assessment methods, additional training opportunities linked to or not directly linked to the TRP skill itself, and the use of technology to improve skills training. This paper is a summary of these teaching interventions and elaborates on the background of those and why implementation is expected to improve student competence. Furthermore, even though the investigations described here are specific to bovine TRP and pregnancy diagnosis skills, they highlight an approach that can be applied to other clinical hands-on skills.
Publisher: Society for Theriogenology
Date: 30-05-2023
DOI: 10.58292/CT.V15.9590
Abstract: This article describes the implementation of an educational intervention, ‘bovine pregnancy diagnosis challenge’ over an 8-year period, and how evidence-based changes were applied to ensure the best learning outcome for bovine pregnancy diagnosis (PD) via transrectal palpation. With the worldwide shift from mainly knowledge-based to competency-based veterinary courses, many new and innovative teaching interventions have been introduced into veterinary education. These teaching interventions include but are not limited to simulators, models, virtual realities, applications, and computer-assisted learning tools of which, many have been implemented into various veterinary training programs. While these advances are noteworthy, the question still remains as to whether or not the implementation of these teaching interventions is optimal. Do we know the ‘when,’ ‘who’, and ‘how’ of a specific intervention that will optimize the educational outcome? The described evolution of the bovine PD challenge shows how these questions were investigated for transrectal palpation skills, and how changes were implemented to optimize student training. This is an ex le of an approach that could be applied widely for validation and skills training investigations within veterinary education to optimize learning outcomes.
No related grants have been discovered for Annett Annandale.