title: The Effects of Different Cryoprotectants on Stallion Epididymal Spermatozoa

authors: Beattie, Cleo

subjects: Epididymal

abstract: Any event that makes semen collection or mating impossible, such as death, castration, or injury, may terminate a stallion’s breeding career. Fortunately, stallion sperm which are capable of fertilization can be harvested from a region adjacent to the testicles called the epididymis, and frozen for future use. However, the fertility of frozen-thawed epididymal sperm has been found to be lower than that of ejaculated sperm. This thesis investigated the effects of different cryoprotectants and dilution after thawing with SW3 media (SW3, JEL Media, NZ), which contains complex amino acids, sugars and no protein, on the fertility and sperm characteristics of frozen-thawed epididymal sperm. Epididymal sperm were obtained from 5 colts at the time of castration and each collected sample was split into different treatment groups and frozen with different cryoprotectants (glycerol, formamides or a combination) in the same base extender. The sperm were frozen in liquid Nitrogen until the time of insemination or post-thaw analysis. The effects of different cryoprotectants and the addition of the post-thaw dilution medium on motility parameters, morphology, acrosome status, plasma membrane integrity and DNA integrity were evaluated after thawing. The reproductive tract of mares were examined by ultrasound during oestrous and the mares were inseminated at 4 hours prior to ovulation with epididymal sperm frozen in either glycerol or a glycerol and formamide combination. Fertility was determined at either 8 days after ovulation when the uterus of each mare was flushed for an embryo or at 14 days after ovulation when the mare was scanned to determine if there was a pregnancy. The post-thaw dilution medium (SW3) was found to have a significant beneficial effect on the motility of frozen-thawed epididymal sperm frozen with glycerol in vitro. Pregnancy data revealed that the glycerol and formamide combination cryoprotectant was superior to glycerol alone, with 50% versus 10% pregnancy rates recorded respectively. These results suggest that the higher pregnancy rates are the effect of the cryoprotectant and not the complex amino acids of the base extender (which was the same for all samples) which contribute to the improved fertility of the frozen epididymal sperm. Furthermore, because good pregnancy rates without the addition of SW3 were obtained prior to insemination, this supports the conclusion that the cryoprotectant is a key factor altering the fertilizing ability of epididymal sperm. Investigations into the fertility of epididymal sperm will enhance our understanding of factors which affect sperm fertility whilst in storage in the cauda epididymius. Furthermore, the opportunity to preserve the fertility of these gametes at the time of gelding or death of a stallion will have long-lasting beneficial effects on the size of the gene pool for selection. This is not only important for the domestic horse but for endangered equine species also. Ultimately, the fertility of epididymal sperm should be optimised to ensure that the maximum numbers of doses are available of this limited resource.

text: The Effects of Different Cryoprotectants on Stallion Epididymal Spermatozoa Any event that makes semen collection or mating impossible, such as death, castration, or injury, may terminate a stallion’s breeding career. Fortunately, stallion sperm which are capable of fertilization can be harvested from a region adjacent to the testicles called the epididymis, and frozen for future use. However, the fertility of frozen-thawed epididymal sperm has been found to be lower than that of ejaculated sperm. This thesis investigated the effects of different cryoprotectants and dilution after thawing with SW3 media (SW3, JEL Media, NZ), which contains complex amino acids, sugars and no protein, on the fertility and sperm characteristics of frozen-thawed epididymal sperm. Epididymal sperm were obtained from 5 colts at the time of castration and each collected sample was split into different treatment groups and frozen with different cryoprotectants (glycerol, formamides or a combination) in the same base extender. The sperm were frozen in liquid Nitrogen until the time of insemination or post-thaw analysis. The effects of different cryoprotectants and the addition of the post-thaw dilution medium on motility parameters, morphology, acrosome status, plasma membrane integrity and DNA integrity were evaluated after thawing. The reproductive tract of mares were examined by ultrasound during oestrous and the mares were inseminated at 4 hours prior to ovulation with epididymal sperm frozen in either glycerol or a glycerol and formamide combination. Fertility was determined at either 8 days after ovulation when the uterus of each mare was flushed for an embryo or at 14 days after ovulation when the mare was scanned to determine if there was a pregnancy. The post-thaw dilution medium (SW3) was found to have a significant beneficial effect on the motility of frozen-thawed epididymal sperm frozen with glycerol in vitro. Pregnancy data revealed that the glycerol and formamide combination cryoprotectant was superior to glycerol alone, with 50% versus 10% pregnancy rates recorded respectively. These results suggest that the higher pregnancy rates are the effect of the cryoprotectant and not the complex amino acids of the base extender (which was the same for all samples) which contribute to the improved fertility of the frozen epididymal sperm. Furthermore, because good pregnancy rates without the addition of SW3 were obtained prior to insemination, this supports the conclusion that the cryoprotectant is a key factor altering the fertilizing ability of epididymal sperm. Investigations into the fertility of epididymal sperm will enhance our understanding of factors which affect sperm fertility whilst in storage in the cauda epididymius. Furthermore, the opportunity to preserve the fertility of these gametes at the time of gelding or death of a stallion will have long-lasting beneficial effects on the size of the gene pool for selection. This is not only important for the domestic horse but for endangered equine species also. Ultimately, the fertility of epididymal sperm should be optimised to ensure that the maximum numbers of doses are available of this limited resource.

year: 2011

title: ‘It’s how the world around you treats you for being trans’: mental health and wellbeing of transgender people in Aotearoa New Zealand

authors: Tan, Kyle K. H.

abstract: Globally, transgender people have been described as a highly marginalised population due to cisgenderism that delegitimises their gender identities and expressions. Despite robust evidence from many countries noting the association of discrimination and stigma for being transgender with heightened mental health risks, qualitative research that examines the nuances of mental health indicators using health equity frameworks has been scant both in Aotearoa/New Zealand and overseas. Using an inductive thematic approach, this paper analysed 222 open-text responses in the mental health section of the 2018 Counting Ourselves: Aotearoa New Zealand, Trans and Non-binary Health Survey. Our findings showed four overarching themes: gender-affirming healthcare, mental healthcare services and accessibility, gender minority stress, and self-affirmation and social support. Participants’ narratives described pervasive gender minority stress experiences in gender-affirming and mental healthcare services, including unmet healthcare needs, lack of competency in healthcare delivery, and pathologisation of their genders. In social settings, our participants commonly reported discrimination and violence, although they also reported that self-affirmation strategies and social support offset the impacts of gender minority stress on their mental health. The current findings indicate the importance of exploring mental health outcomes for transgender people in relation to cisgenderism and resultant gender minority stress.

text: ‘It’s how the world around you treats you for being trans’: mental health and wellbeing of transgender people in Aotearoa New Zealand Globally, transgender people have been described as a highly marginalised population due to cisgenderism that delegitimises their gender identities and expressions. Despite robust evidence from many countries noting the association of discrimination and stigma for being transgender with heightened mental health risks, qualitative research that examines the nuances of mental health indicators using health equity frameworks has been scant both in Aotearoa/New Zealand and overseas. Using an inductive thematic approach, this paper analysed 222 open-text responses in the mental health section of the 2018 Counting Ourselves: Aotearoa New Zealand, Trans and Non-binary Health Survey. Our findings showed four overarching themes: gender-affirming healthcare, mental healthcare services and accessibility, gender minority stress, and self-affirmation and social support. Participants’ narratives described pervasive gender minority stress experiences in gender-affirming and mental healthcare services, including unmet healthcare needs, lack of competency in healthcare delivery, and pathologisation of their genders. In social settings, our participants commonly reported discrimination and violence, although they also reported that self-affirmation strategies and social support offset the impacts of gender minority stress on their mental health. The current findings indicate the importance of exploring mental health outcomes for transgender people in relation to cisgenderism and resultant gender minority stress.

year: 2021

title: Teachers' perceptions of the effectiveness of the Whānau Rūmaki teacher education programme, 1990-1992

authors: Kana, Fred

subjects: Maori Language

abstract: In 1990 the School of Education, the University of Waikato, initiated a special option within its regular pre-service teacher training programmes, an option designed to prepare teachers to deliver the New Zealand curriculum in bilingual and total immersion schools through the medium of te reo Māori. This alternative programmed, designated Whānau Rūmaki, was experimental and evolutionary. Inevitably particular elements of it had to be varied with each year's operation as its architects attempted 'to get the mix right'. It is difficult, however, when engaged in the day to day running of a programme, to stand back and review with any degree of objectivity its strengths and weaknesses. This study, therefore, in retrospect attempts to do three things: one, to follow the initial Whānau Rūmaki student cohort through its three or four year training cycle noting especially the difficulties confronting individual students some of whom dropped out of the programme; two, to gather information from as many as possible of the graduates who graduated about how well they felt they had been prepared for the rigours of classroom teaching; three, to be able, after analysing the data gathered, to recommend ways of improving the on-going Whānau Rūmaki programme.

text: Teachers' perceptions of the effectiveness of the Whānau Rūmaki teacher education programme, 1990-1992 In 1990 the School of Education, the University of Waikato, initiated a special option within its regular pre-service teacher training programmes, an option designed to prepare teachers to deliver the New Zealand curriculum in bilingual and total immersion schools through the medium of te reo Māori. This alternative programmed, designated Whānau Rūmaki, was experimental and evolutionary. Inevitably particular elements of it had to be varied with each year's operation as its architects attempted 'to get the mix right'. It is difficult, however, when engaged in the day to day running of a programme, to stand back and review with any degree of objectivity its strengths and weaknesses. This study, therefore, in retrospect attempts to do three things: one, to follow the initial Whānau Rūmaki student cohort through its three or four year training cycle noting especially the difficulties confronting individual students some of whom dropped out of the programme; two, to gather information from as many as possible of the graduates who graduated about how well they felt they had been prepared for the rigours of classroom teaching; three, to be able, after analysing the data gathered, to recommend ways of improving the on-going Whānau Rūmaki programme.

year: 1997