title: Effect of Body Condition Score at Calving on Adaptive Immune Function During Early Lactation in New Zealand Dairy Cows: Effect of calving body condition on adaptive immune function

authors: McGowan, Jacqueline Ellen

subjects: Candida albicans

abstract: The extent of postpartum negative energy balance in dairy cows is positively associated with body condition score (BCS) at calving. Results of epidemiological studies have indicated that calving BCS is positively correlated with several indicators of immune dysfunction during the post-partum period. Metabolites of negative energy balance (NEB) have been associated with impaired lymphocyte and neutrophil function in vitro. Therefore, cows that calve in greater condition might exhibit a greater degree of periparturient immune dysfunction than thinner cows.
The objective of this thesis was to investigate the effect of BCS at calving on adaptive immune function, using in vivo measures. Two experiments were conducted using dairy cows in the DairyNZ Lye farm herd.
The first experiment determined the level of background exposure to Candida albicans. Delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) to C. albicans is used as an indicator of cell-mediated immune response (CMIR) in cattle. Prior immunisation against C. albicans ensures measurable DTH responses from most cows. However, if natural exposure to C. albicans is high or variable, background DTH must be measured before immunisation, or an alternate antigen used. To determine background DTH responses in pasture-based cows, responses of ten unimmunised and ten immunised cows were compared. A greater proportion of immunised versus unimmunised cows mounted a positive DTH response (90% vs. 70%), and responses were larger (P < 0.01) and more variable (P < 0.05) in immunised cows. Results indicate that pasture-based cows in New Zealand have consistently low background exposure to C. albicans. Therefore, C. albicans is an appropriate antigen for inducing DTH responses as an in vivo measure of CMIR in pasture-based cows.
The second experiment tested the hypothesis that BCS at calving affects immune function. The energy balance of sixty healthy cows with similar mid-lactation BCS was manipulated in late-lactation to achieve three homogenous BCS groups of twenty cows at calving, with calving BCS of 3.4, 4.6 and 5.4 (NZ BCS scale of 1 to 10). Antibody-mediated immune responses (AMIR) and cell-mediated immune responses (CMIR) measured postpartum were compared with responses measured in mid-lactation before BCS manipulation began. Calving BCS had no effect on the magnitude of AMIR (P = 0.93) or CMIR (P = 0.99), and did not affect the ratio of antigen-specific IgG1 and IgG2 produced during AMIR (P = 0.48). These results indicate that, within the range of BCS at calving investigated, and the associated degree of postpartum NEB did not influence ability to mount adaptive immune responses in vivo.
Cows calving within the BCS range examined (between 3.4 and 5.4) did not differ in AMIR or CMIR; therefore, the results support the current recommendations regarding optimal calving BCS for mature cows, and support the minimum BCS allowed by the welfare code.

text: Effect of Body Condition Score at Calving on Adaptive Immune Function During Early Lactation in New Zealand Dairy Cows: Effect of calving body condition on adaptive immune function The extent of postpartum negative energy balance in dairy cows is positively associated with body condition score (BCS) at calving. Results of epidemiological studies have indicated that calving BCS is positively correlated with several indicators of immune dysfunction during the post-partum period. Metabolites of negative energy balance (NEB) have been associated with impaired lymphocyte and neutrophil function in vitro. Therefore, cows that calve in greater condition might exhibit a greater degree of periparturient immune dysfunction than thinner cows.
The objective of this thesis was to investigate the effect of BCS at calving on adaptive immune function, using in vivo measures. Two experiments were conducted using dairy cows in the DairyNZ Lye farm herd.
The first experiment determined the level of background exposure to Candida albicans. Delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) to C. albicans is used as an indicator of cell-mediated immune response (CMIR) in cattle. Prior immunisation against C. albicans ensures measurable DTH responses from most cows. However, if natural exposure to C. albicans is high or variable, background DTH must be measured before immunisation, or an alternate antigen used. To determine background DTH responses in pasture-based cows, responses of ten unimmunised and ten immunised cows were compared. A greater proportion of immunised versus unimmunised cows mounted a positive DTH response (90% vs. 70%), and responses were larger (P < 0.01) and more variable (P < 0.05) in immunised cows. Results indicate that pasture-based cows in New Zealand have consistently low background exposure to C. albicans. Therefore, C. albicans is an appropriate antigen for inducing DTH responses as an in vivo measure of CMIR in pasture-based cows.
The second experiment tested the hypothesis that BCS at calving affects immune function. The energy balance of sixty healthy cows with similar mid-lactation BCS was manipulated in late-lactation to achieve three homogenous BCS groups of twenty cows at calving, with calving BCS of 3.4, 4.6 and 5.4 (NZ BCS scale of 1 to 10). Antibody-mediated immune responses (AMIR) and cell-mediated immune responses (CMIR) measured postpartum were compared with responses measured in mid-lactation before BCS manipulation began. Calving BCS had no effect on the magnitude of AMIR (P = 0.93) or CMIR (P = 0.99), and did not affect the ratio of antigen-specific IgG1 and IgG2 produced during AMIR (P = 0.48). These results indicate that, within the range of BCS at calving investigated, and the associated degree of postpartum NEB did not influence ability to mount adaptive immune responses in vivo.
Cows calving within the BCS range examined (between 3.4 and 5.4) did not differ in AMIR or CMIR; therefore, the results support the current recommendations regarding optimal calving BCS for mature cows, and support the minimum BCS allowed by the welfare code.

year: 2014

title: Chinese involvement in Te Aroha and its mining

authors: Hart, Philip

abstract: No Chinese mined in the Te Aroha district, but a few lived there quietly as market gardeners and owners of laundries. A few Chinese children attended the local school, provoking a controversy about these allegedly unclean children that saw the complainant defeated by public and press opinion. Only two Chinese invested in local mining; the career of one of these, Ah Chee, is summarized.
Perhaps because so few Chinese lived in the district they were not seen as a problem by anyone apart from rival business men and women.

text: Chinese involvement in Te Aroha and its mining No Chinese mined in the Te Aroha district, but a few lived there quietly as market gardeners and owners of laundries. A few Chinese children attended the local school, provoking a controversy about these allegedly unclean children that saw the complainant defeated by public and press opinion. Only two Chinese invested in local mining; the career of one of these, Ah Chee, is summarized.
Perhaps because so few Chinese lived in the district they were not seen as a problem by anyone apart from rival business men and women.

year: 2016

title: Positive Ageing in Place: Older Māori in Traditional and Non-traditional Place

authors: Williams, Cassandra

subjects: Māori

abstract: This thesis examines the role of place in experiences of ageing for older Māori, and the extent to which places of choice facilitate a sense of positive ageing. Particular attention is given to multiple experiences of home and the complexities surrounding Māori affiliations to place. Participants were older whānau members over the age of 55 who whakapapa to, and have lived, or currently live in Manaia in the Coromandel. Two participants still reside in Manaia to this day, and two have moved into urban areas in Paeroa and Taupo. Two semi-structured interviews were conducted with participants in their own homes. The first interview focused on housing experiences, personal background and support. The second interview incorporated Māori relationship principles relating to the importance of turangawaewae, whānaungatanga, wairua and manaakitanga. My analysis was informed by a narrative approach, and the relevance of Māori principles to participants’ positive ageing experiences.

I found that Māori relationships with places of ancestral connection are complex and do not exclude other places becoming equally, if not as important to individuals. Experiences of home for participants were multiple and extended to places with which they had forged memories, relationships and positive attachments. Findings indicate that the ability to age positively within particular places is largely reliant on the supports available for older Māori. Wairua was acknowledged by participants as being significant in aiding their positive ageing experiences. Strong connections to non-living objects such as places, nature and tupuna were expressed as being a crucial part of their philosophies on life and death. This feeling of knowing ancestors were part of everyday life alleviated feelings of loneliness and reiterated the never-ending connections between whānau. Everyday contact with whānau provided practical social support as well as a chance for reciprocal relationships to be fostered. When whānau support was not readily available due to geographical distances, technological means of relationship building were used to enable ageing at a distance, allowing home to be played out across physical localities. Health issues were expressed by participants, both historical and reoccurring, and appropriate health care services were regarded as playing an active role in participants’ ageing experiences. Three out of four participants accessed a Māori health provider. By accessing a health care service that was financially inexpensive, where the doctors built a rapport with patients and took advice, participants felt culturally safe and reported positive relationships with their provider. Finances were reported as being a support that needed to be strengthened and a lack of income had a negative effect on participants ageing experiences. Participants’ everyday lives were impacted by financial instability, with a lack of finances standing in the way of fully interacting with the community, negotiating place and being able to age in places of choice.
This thesis argues that ageing in place facilitates positive ageing by allowing older Māori to remain in their places of choice with firm attachments where they can maintain control over their affairs and maintain a sense of continuity. Māori ageing needs to be viewed within a history of colonisation, urbanisation, experiences, relationships and spiritual connectedness to human and non-human entities. It is within this context that ageing in place can be truly explored. Recommendations are made to aid positive ageing in place for older Māori. These include further research into supports, a review of the age of eligibility for state pensions, subsidised transport initiatives, and making Māori health services more accessible.

text: Positive Ageing in Place: Older Māori in Traditional and Non-traditional Place This thesis examines the role of place in experiences of ageing for older Māori, and the extent to which places of choice facilitate a sense of positive ageing. Particular attention is given to multiple experiences of home and the complexities surrounding Māori affiliations to place. Participants were older whānau members over the age of 55 who whakapapa to, and have lived, or currently live in Manaia in the Coromandel. Two participants still reside in Manaia to this day, and two have moved into urban areas in Paeroa and Taupo. Two semi-structured interviews were conducted with participants in their own homes. The first interview focused on housing experiences, personal background and support. The second interview incorporated Māori relationship principles relating to the importance of turangawaewae, whānaungatanga, wairua and manaakitanga. My analysis was informed by a narrative approach, and the relevance of Māori principles to participants’ positive ageing experiences.

I found that Māori relationships with places of ancestral connection are complex and do not exclude other places becoming equally, if not as important to individuals. Experiences of home for participants were multiple and extended to places with which they had forged memories, relationships and positive attachments. Findings indicate that the ability to age positively within particular places is largely reliant on the supports available for older Māori. Wairua was acknowledged by participants as being significant in aiding their positive ageing experiences. Strong connections to non-living objects such as places, nature and tupuna were expressed as being a crucial part of their philosophies on life and death. This feeling of knowing ancestors were part of everyday life alleviated feelings of loneliness and reiterated the never-ending connections between whānau. Everyday contact with whānau provided practical social support as well as a chance for reciprocal relationships to be fostered. When whānau support was not readily available due to geographical distances, technological means of relationship building were used to enable ageing at a distance, allowing home to be played out across physical localities. Health issues were expressed by participants, both historical and reoccurring, and appropriate health care services were regarded as playing an active role in participants’ ageing experiences. Three out of four participants accessed a Māori health provider. By accessing a health care service that was financially inexpensive, where the doctors built a rapport with patients and took advice, participants felt culturally safe and reported positive relationships with their provider. Finances were reported as being a support that needed to be strengthened and a lack of income had a negative effect on participants ageing experiences. Participants’ everyday lives were impacted by financial instability, with a lack of finances standing in the way of fully interacting with the community, negotiating place and being able to age in places of choice.
This thesis argues that ageing in place facilitates positive ageing by allowing older Māori to remain in their places of choice with firm attachments where they can maintain control over their affairs and maintain a sense of continuity. Māori ageing needs to be viewed within a history of colonisation, urbanisation, experiences, relationships and spiritual connectedness to human and non-human entities. It is within this context that ageing in place can be truly explored. Recommendations are made to aid positive ageing in place for older Māori. These include further research into supports, a review of the age of eligibility for state pensions, subsidised transport initiatives, and making Māori health services more accessible.

year: 2012