
Overview
Background
Professor Alan Tilbrook is nationally and internationally recognised for leading scientific research in animal science and biomedical science (endocrinology, neuroendocrinology, behaviour, stress, and reproduction). He is a global leader in animal welfare science. Professor Tilbrook has an outstanding balanced portfolio in leadership, strategic planning, research, academia, education and government. He is Professor of Animal Welfare in the School of Veterinary Science and has an affiliate appointment in the Centre for Animal Science, Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation at The University of Queensland. Professor Tilbrook is one of three expert members of a Strategy Advisory Group to provide expert strategic advice to the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry to assist the development of the renewed Australian Animal Welfare Strategy. He is Chair and Research Champion of the National Primary Industries Animal Welfare Research, Development and Extension Strategy, represents Universities Australia on the Board of the Australian and New Zealand Council for the Care of Animals in Research and Teaching, represents The University of Queensland on the World Organisation for Animal Health and is a member of the Australian Government’s Live Export Animal Welfare Advisory Group. Professor Tilbrook established The Animal Welfare Collaborative, a university-facilitated network of individuals, companies, and organisations working together to make evidence-based improvements in animal welfare. This was a collaborative venture with The University of Newcastle, The University of Western Australia and The University of Adelaide. He was a founder, Deputy Director and Co-Director of the Animal Welfare Science Centre, was the Research Chief of Livestock and Farming Systems at the South Australian Research and Development Institute and was Deputy Head of the Department of Physiology at Monash University. He has held numerous national and local leadership roles. Professor Tilbrook's research is conceptually driven with a multidisciplinary and integrative approach. He has developed cutting edge research programs across a range of species including sheep, pigs, poultry, cattle, goats, rodents, horses, buffalo and humans. Professor Tilbrook places a huge emphasis on collaboration, training and professional development.
Availability
- Professor Alan Tilbrook is:
- Not available for supervision
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy, University of Western Australia
Research interests
-
Identification of Biomarkers to Assess Animal Welfare
We are seeking to identify biological markers (biomarkers) of animal experiences. The brain processes the experiences of animals. These experiences determine the state of welfare of an animal at any given time. We aim to take peripheral measures of biomarkers that are indicative of brain processing of experiences.
-
Importance of human and maternal contact on stress resilience in pigs
We are investigating the impact of human and maternal contact in early life on stress resilience in pigs later in life. The research considers the importance of this early human and maternal contact in affecting welfare, growth and meat quality of pigs.
-
Elimination of the need for tail removal in pigs
This large-scale research investigates the reasons for tail biting in pigs with the view to developing strategies to eliminate tail biting without the need to remove tails from piglets. The research has both experimental and epidemiological components.
-
Interpreting the welfare of animals exported live by ship
This is project is called “Interpreting Animal Welfare", and is collaborative research led by The University of Western Australia. The project seeks to create an integrated framework capable of assessing, interpreting and aggregating intricate animal welfare data collected during export voyages to give an overall evaluation of animal welfare status.
-
Effects of floor space on the welfare of pigs
It is known that restricting space in breeding female pigs can lead to aggression, injuries and sustained physiological stress. Sustained stress in pigs can compromise the health, efficiency of growth and meat quality. The effects of space allowance on the welfare, growth and productivity of finisher pigs have not been well researched. The focus of this research is to determine the effects of different amounts of floor space on the welfare, growth and production parameters of finisher pigs.
-
Health and welfare of free-range buffalo in the northern Australia
This project is focussed on understanding and improving the health and welfare of harvested buffalo throughout the supply chain. The research is on free-range buffalo from Arnhem Land, Northern Territory. The work is highly collaborative, multidisciplinary and multi-faceted.
Research impacts
Our research on biomarkers of animal welfare is world leading and novel. We have identified biological markers of brain function in animals which will inform how the brain processes experiences and thereby animal welfare. While this research is emerging and is still in the discovery phase, the objective is for the non-invasive measurement of these biomarkers to be applied in the livestock industries.
We have demonstrated the impact of human and maternal contact in early life on stress resilience in pigs later in life, affecting welfare, growth and meat quality. This presents the opportunity to develop strategies to maximise positive human contact and improve maternal contact in the pork industry.
We also pioneered research to measure steroids in the wool of sheep that has resulted in publications and on-farm assessment of stress, wool quality and epigenetic influences on parameters of stress and reproduction in sheep.
Works
Search Professor Alan Tilbrook’s works on UQ eSpace
2016
Journal Article
Reducing sow confinement during farrowing and in early lactation increases piglet mortality1
Condous, P. C., Plush, K. J., Tilbrook, A. J. and van Wettere, W. H. E. J. (2016). Reducing sow confinement during farrowing and in early lactation increases piglet mortality1. Journal of Animal Science, 94 (7), 3022-3029. doi: 10.2527/jas.2015-0145
2016
Journal Article
The hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis in sheep is attenuated during lactation in response to psychosocial and predator stress
Ralph, C. R. and Tilbrook, A. J. (2016). The hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis in sheep is attenuated during lactation in response to psychosocial and predator stress. Domestic Animal Endocrinology, 55, 66-73. doi: 10.1016/j.domaniend.2015.11.003
2016
Journal Article
Invited review: the usefulness of measuring glucocorticoids for assessing animal welfare
Ralph, C. R. and Tilbrook, A. J. (2016). Invited review: the usefulness of measuring glucocorticoids for assessing animal welfare. Journal of Animal Science, 94 (2), 457-470. doi: 10.2527/jas.2015-9645
2016
Journal Article
Impact of psychosocial stress on gonadotrophins and sexual behaviour in females: role for cortisol?
Ralph, C. R., Lehman, M. N., Goodman, R. L. and Tilbrook, A. J. (2016). Impact of psychosocial stress on gonadotrophins and sexual behaviour in females: role for cortisol?. Reproduction, 152 (1), R1-R14. doi: 10.1530/REP-15-0604
2015
Journal Article
Scientific assessment of animal welfare
Hemsworth, P. H., Mellor, D. J., Cronin, G. M. and Tilbrook, A. J. (2015). Scientific assessment of animal welfare. New Zealand Veterinary Journal, 63 (1), 24-30. doi: 10.1080/00480169.2014.966167
2015
Journal Article
Relationship between plasma and tissue corticosterone in laying hens (Gallus gallus domesticus): implications for stress physiology and animal welfare
Ralph, C. R., Hemsworth, P. H., Leury, B. J. and Tilbrook, A. J. (2015). Relationship between plasma and tissue corticosterone in laying hens (Gallus gallus domesticus): implications for stress physiology and animal welfare. Domestic Animal Endocrinology, 50, 72-82. doi: 10.1016/j.domaniend.2014.09.002
2014
Journal Article
Positive effects of melatonin treatment on the reproductive performance of young border leicester rams mated to merino ewes in spring: preliminary observations
Kleemann, D. O., Kelly, J. M., Arney, L. J., Farley, I. L., Tilbrook, A. J. and Walker, S. K. (2014). Positive effects of melatonin treatment on the reproductive performance of young border leicester rams mated to merino ewes in spring: preliminary observations. Reproduction in Domestic Animals, 49 (6), 894-898. doi: 10.1111/rda.12387
2014
Journal Article
Physiological responses to psychological stress: importance of adiposity in men aged 50-70 years
Jayasinghe, S. U., Torres, S. J., Nowson, C. A., Tilbrook, A. J. and Turner, A. I. (2014). Physiological responses to psychological stress: importance of adiposity in men aged 50-70 years. Endocrine Connections, 3 (3), 110-119. doi: 10.1530/EC-14-0042
2014
Journal Article
Cortisol, alpha amylase, blood pressure and heart rate responses to food intake in men aged 50-70 years: Importance of adiposity
Jayasinghe, Sisitha U., Torres, Susan J., Nowson, Caryl A., Tilbrook, Alan J. and Turner, Anne I. (2014). Cortisol, alpha amylase, blood pressure and heart rate responses to food intake in men aged 50-70 years: Importance of adiposity. BMC Obesity, 1 (1) 14. doi: 10.1186/s40608-014-0014-4
2013
Journal Article
Effects of group size and floor space allowance on grouped sows: Aggression, stress, skin injuries, and reproductive performance
Hemsworth, P. H., Rice, M., Nash, J., Giri, K., Butler, K. L., Tilbrook, A. J. and Morrison, R. S. (2013). Effects of group size and floor space allowance on grouped sows: Aggression, stress, skin injuries, and reproductive performance. Journal of Animal Science, 91 (10), 4953-4964. doi: 10.2527/jas.2012-5807
2013
Journal Article
Artificially extending photoperiod improves milk yield in dairy goats and is most effective in late lactation
Russo, V. M., Cameron, A. W. N., Dunshea, F. R., Tilbrook, A. J. and Leury, B. J. (2013). Artificially extending photoperiod improves milk yield in dairy goats and is most effective in late lactation. Small Ruminant Research, 113 (1), 179-186. doi: 10.1016/j.smallrumres.2013.01.002
2013
Journal Article
Effects of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor treatment on plasma oxytocin and cortisol in major depressive disorder
Keating, Charlotte, Dawood, Tye, Barton, David A., Lambert, Gavin W. and Tilbrook, Alan J. (2013). Effects of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor treatment on plasma oxytocin and cortisol in major depressive disorder. BMC Psychiatry, 13 (1) 124, 124.1-124.7. doi: 10.1186/1471-244X-13-124
2013
Journal Article
Genetic selection for temperament affects behaviour and the secretion of adrenal and reproductive hormones in sheep subjected to stress
Hawken, P. A. R., Luckins, N., Tilbrook, A., Fiol, C., Martin, G. B. and Blache, D. (2013). Genetic selection for temperament affects behaviour and the secretion of adrenal and reproductive hormones in sheep subjected to stress. Stress: The International Journal On the Biology of Stress, 16 (1), 130-142. doi: 10.3109/10253890.2012.690114
2012
Journal Article
Neuroadrenergic dysfunction along the diabetes continuum: a comparative study in obese metabolic syndrome subjects
Straznicky, Nora E., Grima, Mariee T., Sari, Carolina I., Eikelis, Nina, Lambert, Elisabeth A., Nestel, Paul J., Esler, Murray D., Dixon, John B., Chopra, Reena, Tilbrook, Alan J., Schlaich, Markus P. and Lambert, Gavin W. (2012). Neuroadrenergic dysfunction along the diabetes continuum: a comparative study in obese metabolic syndrome subjects. Diabetes, 61 (10), 2506-2516. doi: 10.2337/db12-0138
2012
Journal Article
Reward processing in anorexia nervosa
Keating, Charlotte, Tilbrook, Alan J., Rossell, Susan L., Enticott, Peter G. and Fitzgerald, Paul B. (2012). Reward processing in anorexia nervosa. Neuropsychologia, 50 (5), 567-575. doi: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2012.01.036
2012
Journal Article
The effects of dietary weight loss with or without exercise training on liver enzymes in obese metabolic syndrome subjects
Straznicky, N. E., Lambert, E. A., Grima, M. T., Eikelis, N., Nestel, P. J., Dawood, T., Schlaich, M. P., Masuo, K., Chopra, R., Sari, C. I., Dixon, J. B., Tilbrook, A. J. and Lambert, G. W. (2012). The effects of dietary weight loss with or without exercise training on liver enzymes in obese metabolic syndrome subjects. Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism, 14 (2), 139-148. doi: 10.1111/j.1463-1326.2011.01497.x
2012
Journal Article
Baseline sympathetic nervous system activity predicts dietary weight loss in obese metabolic syndrome subjects
Straznicky, Nora E., Eikelis, Nina, Nestel, Paul J., Dixon, John B., Dawood, Tye, Grima, Mariee T., Sari, Carolina I., Schlaich, Markus P., Esler, Murray D., Tilbrook, Alan J., Lambert, Gavin W. and Lambert, Elisabeth A. (2012). Baseline sympathetic nervous system activity predicts dietary weight loss in obese metabolic syndrome subjects. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, 97 (2), 605-613. doi: 10.1210/jc.2011-2320
2011
Journal Article
Acute and chronic stress-like levels of cortisol inhibit the oestradiol stimulus to induce sexual receptivity but have no effect on sexual attractivity or proceptivity in female sheep
Papargiris, M. M., Rivalland, E. T. A., Hemsworth, P. H., Morrissey, A. D. and Tilbrook, A. J. (2011). Acute and chronic stress-like levels of cortisol inhibit the oestradiol stimulus to induce sexual receptivity but have no effect on sexual attractivity or proceptivity in female sheep. Hormones and Behavior, 60 (4), 336-345. doi: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2011.06.008
2011
Journal Article
Ghrelin modulates sympathetic nervous system activity and stress response in lean and overweight men
Lambert, Elisabeth, Lambert, Gavin, Ika-Sari, Carolina, Dawood, Tye, Lee, Katie, Chopra, Reena, Straznicky, Nora, Eikelis, Nina, Drew, Sara, Tilbrook, Alan, Dixon, John, Esler, Murray and Schlaich, Markus P. (2011). Ghrelin modulates sympathetic nervous system activity and stress response in lean and overweight men. Hypertension, 58 (1), 43-50. doi: 10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.111.171025
2011
Conference Publication
The Art of Sexual Science: Grommets, Girly-Girls, and Grandpas ... and Everything in Between
Vandyk, R. and Tilbrook, A. (2011). The Art of Sexual Science: Grommets, Girly-Girls, and Grandpas ... and Everything in Between. WILEY-BLACKWELL.
Funding
Current funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Professor Alan Tilbrook is:
- Not available for supervision
Supervision history
Current supervision
-
Doctor Philosophy
PhD Analgesia and Haemostasis to achieve high standards of beef calf welfare in northern Australia
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Kieren McCosker
-
Doctor Philosophy
Early life experiences and stress resilience in pigs
Principal Advisor
-
Doctor Philosophy
Early life stress and subsequent stress resilience and emotionality in pigs
Principal Advisor
-
Doctor Philosophy
Effect of Analgesia and Haemostasis on Beef Calves during dehorning in Northern Australia
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Kieren McCosker
-
Doctor Philosophy
Eliminating pig tail removal to improve welfare and industry sustainability
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Marta Navarro, Dr Arun Kumar, Professor Eugeni Roura
-
Doctor Philosophy
Maternal-foetal programming of stress resilience in Merino sheep
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Nick Hudson
Completed supervision
-
2021
Doctor Philosophy
Dietary amino acid excesses and appetition in weaned pigs
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Eugeni Roura
Media
Enquiries
For media enquiries about Professor Alan Tilbrook's areas of expertise, story ideas and help finding experts, contact our Media team: