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Professor Alan Tilbrook
Professor

Alan Tilbrook

Email: 

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

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

211 works between 1986 and 2025

81 - 100 of 211 works

2011

Conference Publication

Female Sexual Precocity: a Current and Future Pursuit

Vandyk, R. and Tilbrook, A. (2011). Female Sexual Precocity: a Current and Future Pursuit. WILEY-BLACKWELL.

Female Sexual Precocity: a Current and Future Pursuit

2011

Journal Article

The glucocorticoid contribution to obesity

Spencer, Sarah J. and Tilbrook, Alan (2011). The glucocorticoid contribution to obesity. Stress: The International Journal On the Biology of Stress, 14 (3), 233-246. doi: 10.3109/10253890.2010.534831

The glucocorticoid contribution to obesity

2011

Journal Article

Oestrogen: an overlooked mediator in the neuropsychopharmacology of treatment response?

Keating, Charlotte, Tilbrook, Alan and Kulkarni, Jayashri (2011). Oestrogen: an overlooked mediator in the neuropsychopharmacology of treatment response?. International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology, 14 (4), 553-566. doi: 10.1017/S1461145710000982

Oestrogen: an overlooked mediator in the neuropsychopharmacology of treatment response?

2011

Journal Article

Evidence that RF-amide related peptide-3 is not a mediator of the inhibitory effects of psychosocial stress on gonadotrophin secretion in ovariectomised ewes

Papargiris, M. M., Rivalland, E. T. A., Clarke, I. J., Smith, J. T., Pereira, A. and Tilbrook, A. J. (2011). Evidence that RF-amide related peptide-3 is not a mediator of the inhibitory effects of psychosocial stress on gonadotrophin secretion in ovariectomised ewes. Journal of Neuroendocrinology, 23 (3), 208-215. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2826.2010.02094.x

Evidence that RF-amide related peptide-3 is not a mediator of the inhibitory effects of psychosocial stress on gonadotrophin secretion in ovariectomised ewes

2011

Book Chapter

Sex Differences and the Role of Sex Steroids in Sympatho-Adrenal Medullary System and Hypothalamo-Pituitary Adrenal Axis Responses to Stress

Turner, Anne I., Keating, Charlotte L. and Tilbrook, Alan J. (2011). Sex Differences and the Role of Sex Steroids in Sympatho-Adrenal Medullary System and Hypothalamo-Pituitary Adrenal Axis Responses to Stress. Sex Steroids. (pp. 115-136) Rijeka, Croatia: InTech. doi: 10.5772/25611

Sex Differences and the Role of Sex Steroids in Sympatho-Adrenal Medullary System and Hypothalamo-Pituitary Adrenal Axis Responses to Stress

2011

Journal Article

Immunisation against gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) increases growth and reduces variability in group-housed boars

Dunshea, F. R., Cronin, G. M., Barnett, J. L., Hemsworth, P. H., Hennessy, D. P., Campbell, R. G., Luxford, B., Smits, R. J., Tilbrook, A. J., King, R. H. and McCauley, I. (2011). Immunisation against gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) increases growth and reduces variability in group-housed boars. Animal Production Science, 51 (8), 695-701. doi: 10.1071/AN11021

Immunisation against gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) increases growth and reduces variability in group-housed boars

2010

Journal Article

Stressor specificity of sex differences in hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis activity: cortisol responses to exercise, endotoxin, wetting, and isolation/restraint stress in gonadectomized male and female sheep

Turner, A. I., Rivalland, E. T. A., Clarke, I. J. and Tilbrook, A. J. (2010). Stressor specificity of sex differences in hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis activity: cortisol responses to exercise, endotoxin, wetting, and isolation/restraint stress in gonadectomized male and female sheep. Endocrinology, 151 (9), 4324-4331. doi: 10.1210/en.2010-0234

Stressor specificity of sex differences in hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis activity: cortisol responses to exercise, endotoxin, wetting, and isolation/restraint stress in gonadectomized male and female sheep

2010

Journal Article

Stressor specificity of sex differences in hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis activity: cortisol responses to exercise, endotoxin, wetting, and isolation/restraint stress in gonadectomized male and female sheep

Turner, A. I., Rivalland, E. T A., Clarke, I. J. and Tilbrook, A. J. (2010). Stressor specificity of sex differences in hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis activity: cortisol responses to exercise, endotoxin, wetting, and isolation/restraint stress in gonadectomized male and female sheep. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, 95 (8), 4081-4081. doi: 10.1210/jcem.95.8.9987

Stressor specificity of sex differences in hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis activity: cortisol responses to exercise, endotoxin, wetting, and isolation/restraint stress in gonadectomized male and female sheep

2010

Journal Article

The estrous cycle of the ewe is resistant to disruption by repeated, acute psychosocial stress

Wagenmaker, Elizabeth R., Breen, Kellie M., Oakley, Amy E., Tilbrook, Alan J. and Karsch, Fred J. (2010). The estrous cycle of the ewe is resistant to disruption by repeated, acute psychosocial stress. Biology of Reproduction, 82 (6), 1206-1215. doi: 10.1095/biolreprod.109.078774

The estrous cycle of the ewe is resistant to disruption by repeated, acute psychosocial stress

2010

Conference Publication

Oxytocin levels predict HPA-axis response to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) in patients with major depression

Keating, C., Dawood, T., Lambert, G., Barton, D., Kulkarni, J. and Tilbrook, A. (2010). Oxytocin levels predict HPA-axis response to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) in patients with major depression. 27th CINP Congress Meeting 2010, Hong Kong Peoples R China, Jun 06-10, 2010. CAMBRIDGE UNIV PRESS.

Oxytocin levels predict HPA-axis response to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) in patients with major depression

2010

Book Chapter

Gonadotropin, neural and hormonal control

Clarke, I. J. and Tilbrook, A. J. (2010). Gonadotropin, neural and hormonal control. Encyclopedia of neuroscience. (pp. 959-965) Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/B978-008045046-9.01165-7

Gonadotropin, neural and hormonal control

2010

Conference Publication

Cortisol Inhibits Sexual Receptivity, but Has No Effect on Attractivity or Proceptivity in Ovariectomized Ewes Treated with Different Doses of Estradiol Benzoate.

Papargiris, Melissa M., Hemsworth, Paul H., Rivalland, Elizabeth T. A., Morrissey, Adam D. and Tilbrook, Alan J. (2010). Cortisol Inhibits Sexual Receptivity, but Has No Effect on Attractivity or Proceptivity in Ovariectomized Ewes Treated with Different Doses of Estradiol Benzoate.. 43rd Annual Meeting of the Society-for-the-Study-of-Reproduction, Milwaukee Wi, Jul 31-Aug 03, 2010. SOC STUDY REPRODUCTION.

Cortisol Inhibits Sexual Receptivity, but Has No Effect on Attractivity or Proceptivity in Ovariectomized Ewes Treated with Different Doses of Estradiol Benzoate.

2009

Journal Article

Effect of RF-amide-related peptide-3 on luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone synthesis and secretion in ovine pituitary gonadotropes

Sari, Ika P., Rao, Alexandra, Smith, Jeremy T., Tilbrook, Alan J. and Clarke, Iain J. (2009). Effect of RF-amide-related peptide-3 on luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone synthesis and secretion in ovine pituitary gonadotropes. Endocrinology, 150 (12), 5549-5556. doi: 10.1210/en.2009-0775

Effect of RF-amide-related peptide-3 on luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone synthesis and secretion in ovine pituitary gonadotropes

2009

Journal Article

Neonatal overfeeding alters adult anxiety and stress responsiveness

Spencer, Sarah J. and Tilbrook, Alan (2009). Neonatal overfeeding alters adult anxiety and stress responsiveness. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 34 (8), 1133-1143. doi: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2009.02.013

Neonatal overfeeding alters adult anxiety and stress responsiveness

2009

Journal Article

Role of estradiol in cortisol-induced reduction of luteinizing hormone pulse frequency

Oakley, Amy E., Breen, Kellie M., Tilbrook, Alan J., Wagenmaker, Elizabeth R. and Karsch, Fred J. (2009). Role of estradiol in cortisol-induced reduction of luteinizing hormone pulse frequency. Endocrinology, 150 (6), 2775-2782. doi: 10.1210/en.2008-1754

Role of estradiol in cortisol-induced reduction of luteinizing hormone pulse frequency

2009

Journal Article

Cortisol disrupts the ability of estradiol-17β to induce the LH surge in ovariectomized ewes

Pierce, B. N., Clarke, I. J., Turner, A. I., Rivalland, E. T. A. and Tilbrook, A. J. (2009). Cortisol disrupts the ability of estradiol-17β to induce the LH surge in ovariectomized ewes. Domestic Animal Endocrinology, 36 (4), 202-208. doi: 10.1016/j.domaniend.2008.11.003

Cortisol disrupts the ability of estradiol-17β to induce the LH surge in ovariectomized ewes

2009

Journal Article

Cortisol interferes with the estradiol-induced surge of luteinizing hormone in the ewe

Wagenmaker, Elizabeth R., Breen, Kellie M., Oakley, Amy E., Pierce, Bree N., Tilbrook, Alan J., Turner, Anne I. and Karsch, Fred J. (2009). Cortisol interferes with the estradiol-induced surge of luteinizing hormone in the ewe. Biology of Reproduction, 80 (3), 458-463. doi: 10.1095/biolreprod.108.074252

Cortisol interferes with the estradiol-induced surge of luteinizing hormone in the ewe

2009

Journal Article

Psychosocial stress inhibits amplitude of gonadotropin-releasing hormone pulses Independent of cortisol action on the type II glucocorticoid receptor

Wagenmaker, Elizabeth R., Breen, Kellie M., Oakley, Amy E., Tilbrook, Alan J. and Karsch, Fred J. (2009). Psychosocial stress inhibits amplitude of gonadotropin-releasing hormone pulses Independent of cortisol action on the type II glucocorticoid receptor. Endocrinology, 150 (2), 762-769. doi: 10.1210/en.2008-0757

Psychosocial stress inhibits amplitude of gonadotropin-releasing hormone pulses Independent of cortisol action on the type II glucocorticoid receptor

2009

Journal Article

Estradiol enables cortisol to act directly upon the pituitary to suppress pituitary responsiveness to GnRH in sheep

Pierce, B. N., Stackpole, C. A., Breen, K. M., Clarke, I. J., Karsch, F. J., Rivalland, E. T. A., Turner, A. I., Caddy, D. J., Wagenmaker, E. R., Oakley, A. E. and Tilbrook, A. J. (2009). Estradiol enables cortisol to act directly upon the pituitary to suppress pituitary responsiveness to GnRH in sheep. Neuroendocrinology, 89 (1), 86-97. doi: 10.1159/000151543

Estradiol enables cortisol to act directly upon the pituitary to suppress pituitary responsiveness to GnRH in sheep

2009

Book Chapter

Gonadotropin, Neural and Hormonal Control

Clarke, I. J. and Tilbrook, A. J. (2009). Gonadotropin, Neural and Hormonal Control. Encyclopedia of Neuroscience: Volumes 1-11. (pp. V4-959-V4-965) Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/B978-008045046-9.01165-7

Gonadotropin, Neural and Hormonal Control

Funding

Current funding

  • 2023 - 2026
    Supply chain best practice to improve the health and welfare of free-range buffalo harvest in Arnhem Land - Northern Territory.
    CRC for Developing Northern Australia
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2026
    Goat Industry - Sustainability Credentials Project
    Meat & Livestock Australia
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2026
    Animal Welfare Standards Project
    The University of Queensland in America, Inc
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2024
    Best practice carbon dioxide stunning for pigs
    Sunpork Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2024
    Animal Welfare Standards Project Phase RCC: Sustainable, regional advancement in animal welfare in East Asia.
    The University of Queensland in America, Inc
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2024
    Brain measures of positive welfare in pigs
    Australasian Pork Research Institute Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2025
    Eliminating pig tail removal to improve welfare and industry sustainability (CRC-P administered by Sunpork)
    Sunpork Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2025
    Development of practical measures of animal welfare
    Meat & Livestock Australia
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2022
    Early stress experiences and stress resilience and emotionality in pigs (ARC Linkage Project administered by The University of Melbourne)
    University of Melbourne
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2020
    Sheep shearing and epigenetic change
    Australian Wool Innovation
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2022
    Increased pasture intake and reduced supplement requirements of sheep/cattle
    Meat & Livestock Australia
    Open grant

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

Media

Enquiries

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