In Australia, high local densities of macropodid marsupials in state parks, nature reserves and wildlife sanctuaries are threatening biodiversity and pose a considerable management challenge. The high public profile of these species places socio-political constraints on the management options available. The use of fertility control techniques appears to offer an alternative. However, before a contraceptive system can be developed a detailed knowledge of the reproductive processes for that species must be generated. In this thesis, sexual maturity, seasonal reproduction, aspects of the endocrinology of reproduction and fertility control were investigated in the eastern grey kangaroo. In Victoria the eastern grey kangaroo is capable of breeding at all times of the year, although breeding is more synchronous than in northern populations, with 41% of the females breeding between December and January. In Victorian populations the onset of sexual maturity is delayed in both sexes, with females reaching maturity at 22 ± 1.2months and some males not reaching sexual maturity by 32 months of age. Male kangaroos showed seasonal changes that closely tracked the reproductive activity of the female kangaroos. Plasma testosterone concentrations were significantly elevated during the peak breeding period compared to all other times of the year. Both prostate and testis weights were low during winter when the reproductive activity of the females is low, although the difference was not significant.

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to understand the mothers lived experience and perception towards 24-hour Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) during hospitalization of their preterm babies. A qualitative design was used and phenomenological methods used to collect data. Nine in-depth unstructured interviews were with purposely-selected participants. The meaning of their experience was analyzed using Collaizzi’s (1978) steps to phenomenological data analysis. Data analysis revealed major three themes: (a) “it is a bond between me and my child” (b) nurse-parent interaction, and (c) “it is tiring and exhaustive”. However, the study found that all the mothers in spite of exhaustion, reported some high level of satisfaction with KMC because it allowed them to be closer to their babies. hence giving them the opportunity to observe their growth and become fully involved in the care. KMC was additionally noted have provided a comforting and warm environment for the babies, thus enabling them to grow faster and this in turn increased maternal satisfaction. Recommendation was made regarding further research preferably quantitative study to establish relationship between production of breast milk and the use of KMC. The principle of 24-hour KMC should also be incorporated and emphasized in all levels of educational training as this practice has been found to have numerous benefits both to the mothers and to their preterm babies.

No description available.

Thesis (B.A. Hons.)--Murdoch University, Perth, 2001. / Title from title page (viewed on 8 Sept. 2004). Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Melbourne, 2005. / Title from PDF title page (viewed on Dec. 3, 2006). Includes bibliographical references (p. 123-139).

A total of 176 kangaroo rats (151 Dipodontys ordii and 25 Q• microps) were captured in northwestern utah and examined for coccidia. Of these 176 rats, four Q• ordii (2.6%) and four Q• microps (16.0%) were infected with ~ utahensis, a new species of coccidia. Little seasonal difference was found in the infection rate of either species. The characteristics of the sporulated oocysts of this species were described. A sporocyst plug was reported for the first time in an eimerian oocyst. Artificially excysted sporozoites were studied by various methods. Thirty living sporozoites averaged 22.5 p in length by 4.5 f in width at the anterior refractile body and 4.6 p in width at the posterior refractile body. The refractile body was ellipsoidal and occupied almost half of the sporozoite. The refractile bodies were protein in nature. Living sporozoites exhibited gliding, flexing, pivoting, and probing movements. Subpellicular fibrils, anterior median rod-shaped organelles, and transverse striations of unknown significance were seen in living and stained sporozoites. In the vesicular nucleus the DNA was concentrated at the periphery and three to five chromatin clumps were present. Little, or no, glycogen was present. The test for lipids was inconclusive. The mean prepatent period in experimentally infected D• ordii was 9.8 days. The discharge of oocysts continued for prolonged periods, evidently as a result of reinfection, although concerted efforts were made to prevent this. The asexual endogenous stages were located in epithelial cells in the distal half of the villi of the small intestine. Four generations of schizonts were present. Mature first-generation schizonts were found 2 1/2 days after inoculation of the animals and contained 12 to 16 merozoites. Mature second-generation schizonts were found on the fourth post-inoculation day and also contained 12 to 16 merozoites. Mature t hirdgeneration schizonts were present on the fourth, fifth and sixth postinoculation days and contained 4 to 8 merozoites. The third-generation schizonts gave rise to early sexual stages or to fourth-generation schizonts. Mature fourth-generation schizonts were found on the sixth and seventh post-inoculation days and contained 16 to 24 merozoites. Young gametocytes were first observed on the fifth post-inoculation day. Shortly after the gametocytes entered the infected epithelial cells the cells became displaced into the lamina propria and the mature gametocytes were usually found in the latter location. The nuclei of infected host cells became considerably enlarged and modified in shape and position. In many host cells there appeared to be two or more nuclei in the parasitized cell; this was interpreted as an artifact of sectioning. However, in a few instances young gametocytes were observed in cells in which the host cell nuclei were undergoing division, indicating that some infected host cells might have been multinucleate. Microgametocyte nuclei were randomly arranged in the microgametocyte during the early stages of development. As the microgametocytes approached maturity the nuclei became arranged in whorls at the surface of compartments. At maturity the microgametes lost their whorl arrangement and became randomly arranged around a central mass of residual material. The mature microgametocytes averaged 63 .9 by 48.3 p• The plastic granules of the macrogametes were slightly eosinophilic with hematoxylin and eosin stain, but did not stain with iron hematoxylin. The macrogametes measured 32 .5 by 27 .0 p at the stage in which the plastic granules were at the periphery of the parasite but had not yet coalesced. Eimeria utahensis caused no outward signs of coccidiosis in experimentally infected D• ordii, nor were any marked pathological changes observed in the tissue sections .

No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

Typewritten copy / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 269-271) / Pts. 1-3 are reprinted from: Transactions, Royal Society of South Australia v. 71 (2), 1 December 1947; v. 72 (1), 23 August 1948; and, v. 73 (2), December 1950 / 271 leaves : ill., maps (some folded), plates ; 26 cm. / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Zoology, 1952