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 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 was Chair and Research Champion of the National Primary Industries Animal Welfare Research, Development and Extension Strategy from 2013 to 2025. He 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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
2007
Book Chapter
Neuropeptides, Stress-Related
Tilbrook, A. J. (2007). Neuropeptides, Stress-Related. Encyclopedia of Stress. (pp. 903-908) Elsevier Inc.. doi: 10.1016/B978-012373947-6.00735-2
2006
Journal Article
Projections to the preoptic area from the paraventricular nucleus, arcuate nucleus and the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis are unlikely to be involved in stress-induced suppression of GnRH secretion in sheep
Rivalland, Elizabeth T. A., Tilbrook, Alan J., Turner, Anne I., Iqbal, Javed, Pompolo, Sueli and Clarke, Iain J. (2006). Projections to the preoptic area from the paraventricular nucleus, arcuate nucleus and the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis are unlikely to be involved in stress-induced suppression of GnRH secretion in sheep. Neuroendocrinology, 84 (1), 1-13. doi: 10.1159/000096372
2006
Journal Article
Neuroendocrine mechanisms of innate states of attenuated responsiveness of the hypothalamo-pituitary adrenal axis to stress
Tilbrook, A. J. and Clarke, I. J. (2006). Neuroendocrine mechanisms of innate states of attenuated responsiveness of the hypothalamo-pituitary adrenal axis to stress. Frontiers in Neuroendocrinology, 27 (3), 285-307. doi: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2006.06.002
2006
Conference Publication
Isolation/restraint stress in sheep activates projections to the preoptic area arising from the paraventricular nucleus but not those arising from the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis or the arcuate nucleus
Tilbrook, A. J., Rivalland, E. T. A., Turner, A. I., Pompolo, S. and Clarke, I. J. (2006). Isolation/restraint stress in sheep activates projections to the preoptic area arising from the paraventricular nucleus but not those arising from the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis or the arcuate nucleus. 6th International Congress of Neuroendocrinology, Pittsburgh Pa, Jun 19-22, 2006. ACADEMIC PRESS INC ELSEVIER SCIENCE. doi: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2006.03.081
2006
Journal Article
A sex difference in the cortisol response to tail docking an ACTH develops between 1 and 8 weeks of age in lambs
Turner, AI, Hosking, BJ, Parr, RA and Tilbrook, AJ (2006). A sex difference in the cortisol response to tail docking an ACTH develops between 1 and 8 weeks of age in lambs. Journal of Endocrinology, 188 (3), 443-449. doi: 10.1677/joe.1.06328
2006
Journal Article
Stress, cortisol and reproduction in female pigs
Turner, A. I. and Tilbrook, A. J. (2006). Stress, cortisol and reproduction in female pigs. Society of Reproduction and Fertility supplement, 62, 191-203.
2006
Journal Article
Activation of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis by isolation and restraint stress during lactation in ewes: Effect of the presence of the lamb and suckling
Tilbrook, AJ, Turner, AI, Ibbott, MD and Clarke, IJ (2006). Activation of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis by isolation and restraint stress during lactation in ewes: Effect of the presence of the lamb and suckling. Endocrinology, 147 (7), 3501-3509. doi: 10.1210/en.2005-1632
2006
Conference Publication
Differing modes of cortisol-induced suppression of pulsatile LH secretion in ovariectomized vs. ovary-intact ewes.
Oakley, Amy E., Breen, Kellie M., Tilbrook, Alan J., Wagenmaker, Elizabeth R. and Karsch, Fred J. (2006). Differing modes of cortisol-induced suppression of pulsatile LH secretion in ovariectomized vs. ovary-intact ewes.. 39th Annual Meeting of the Society-for-the-Study-of-Reproduction, Omaha Ne, Jul 29-Aug 01, 2006. SOC STUDY REPRODUCTION.
2006
Journal Article
Sex difference in the suppressive effect of cortisol on pulsatile secretion of luteinizing hormone in sheep
Stackpole, Catherine A., Clarke, Iain J., Breen, Kellie M., Turner, Anne I., Karsch, Fred J. and Tilbrook, Alan J. (2006). Sex difference in the suppressive effect of cortisol on pulsatile secretion of luteinizing hormone in sheep. Endocrinology, 147 (12), 5921-5931. doi: 10.1210/en.2006-0667
2005
Conference Publication
Susceptibility of reproduction in female pigs to impairment by stress or elevation of cortisol
Turner, AI, Hemsworth, PH and Tilbrook, AJ (2005). Susceptibility of reproduction in female pigs to impairment by stress or elevation of cortisol. 5th International Conference on Farm Animal Endocrinology, Budapest Hungary, Jul 04-06, 2004. doi: 10.1016/j.domaniend.2005.02.031
2005
Journal Article
Y2 receptor-selective agonist delays the estrogen-induced luteinizing hormone surge in ovariectomized ewes, but Y1-receptor-selective agonist stimulates voluntary food intake
Clarke, IJ, Backholer, K and Tilbrook, AJ (2005). Y2 receptor-selective agonist delays the estrogen-induced luteinizing hormone surge in ovariectomized ewes, but Y1-receptor-selective agonist stimulates voluntary food intake. Endocrinology, 146 (2), 769-775. doi: 10.1210/en.2004-1085
2005
Conference Publication
Cortisol delays the estradiol-induced LH surge: Is this dependent on prior ovarian steroid exposure?
Wagenmaker, ER, Breen, KM, Clarke, IJ, Oakley, AE, Tilbrook, AJ, Turner, AI and Karsch, FJ (2005). Cortisol delays the estradiol-induced LH surge: Is this dependent on prior ovarian steroid exposure?. 38th Annual Meeting of the Society-for-the-Study-of-Reproduction, Quebec City Canada, Jul 24-27, 2005. SOC STUDY REPRODUCTION.
2005
Journal Article
Co-localization and distribution of corticotrophin-releasing hormone, arginine vasopressin and enkephalin in the paraventricular nucleus of sheep: A sex comparison
Rivalland, ETA, Iqbal, J, Clarke, IJ, Turner, AI and Tilbrook, AJ (2005). Co-localization and distribution of corticotrophin-releasing hormone, arginine vasopressin and enkephalin in the paraventricular nucleus of sheep: A sex comparison. Neuroscience, 132 (3), 755-766. doi: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2005.01.045
2004
Journal Article
Sex differences in the distribution and abundance of androgen receptor mRNA-containing cells in the preoptic area and hypothalamus of the ram and ewe
Scott, CJ, Clarke, IJ, Rao, A and Tilbrook, AJ (2004). Sex differences in the distribution and abundance of androgen receptor mRNA-containing cells in the preoptic area and hypothalamus of the ram and ewe. Journal of Neuroendocrinology, 16 (12), 956-963. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2826.2005.01261.x
2004
Journal Article
Does the type II glucocorticoid receptor mediate cortisol-induced suppression in pituitary responsiveness to gonadotropin-releasing hormone?
Breen, KM, Stackpole, CA, Clarke, IJ, Pytiak, AV, Tilbrook, AJ, Wagenmaker, ER, Young, EA and Karsch, FJ (2004). Does the type II glucocorticoid receptor mediate cortisol-induced suppression in pituitary responsiveness to gonadotropin-releasing hormone?. Endocrinology, 145 (6), 2739-2746. doi: 10.1210/en.2004-0123
2004
Journal Article
Reconstruction of in vivo time-evolving neuroendocrine dose-response properties unveils admixed deterministic and stochastic elements
Keenan, DM, Alexander, S, Irvine, CHG, Clarke, I, Scott, C, Turner, A, Tilbrook, AJ, Canny, BJ and Veldhuis, JD (2004). Reconstruction of in vivo time-evolving neuroendocrine dose-response properties unveils admixed deterministic and stochastic elements. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 101 (17), 6740-6745. doi: 10.1073/pnas.0300619101
2004
Journal Article
Leptin-mediated effects of undernutrition or fasting on luteinizing hormone and growth hormone secretion in ovariectomized ewes depend on the duration of metabolic perturbation
Henry, BA, Goding, JW, Tilbrook, AJ, Dunshea, FR, Blache, D and Clarke, IJ (2004). Leptin-mediated effects of undernutrition or fasting on luteinizing hormone and growth hormone secretion in ovariectomized ewes depend on the duration of metabolic perturbation. Journal of Neuroendocrinology, 16 (3), 244-255. doi: 10.1111/j.0953-8194.2004.01157.x
2003
Journal Article
Effect of Testosterone and Season on Proenkephalin Messenger RNA Expression in the Preoptic Area of the Hypothalamus in the Ram
Scott, Christopher J., Mariani, Michael, Clarke, Iain J. and Tilbrook, Alan J. (2003). Effect of Testosterone and Season on Proenkephalin Messenger RNA Expression in the Preoptic Area of the Hypothalamus in the Ram. Biology of Reproduction, 69 (6), 2015-2021. doi: 10.1095/biolreprod.103.016956
2003
Journal Article
Neuropeptide Y (NPY) delays the oestrogen-induced luteinizing hormone (LH) surge in the ovariectomized ewe: Further evidence that NPY has a predominant negative effect on LH secretion in the ewe
Estrada, KM, Pompolo, S, Morris, MJ, Tilbrook, AJ and Clarke, IJ (2003). Neuropeptide Y (NPY) delays the oestrogen-induced luteinizing hormone (LH) surge in the ovariectomized ewe: Further evidence that NPY has a predominant negative effect on LH secretion in the ewe. Journal of Neuroendocrinology, 15 (11), 1011-1020. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2826.2003.01087.x
2003
Journal Article
Seasonal differences in the effect of isolation and restraint stress on the luteinizing hormone response to gonadotropin-releasing hormone in hypothalamopituitary disconnected, gonadectomized rams and ewes
Stackpole, CA, Turner, AL, Clarke, IJ, Lambert, GW and Tilbrook, AJ (2003). Seasonal differences in the effect of isolation and restraint stress on the luteinizing hormone response to gonadotropin-releasing hormone in hypothalamopituitary disconnected, gonadectomized rams and ewes. Biology of Reproduction, 69 (4), 1158-1164. doi: 10.1095/biolreprod.103.016428
Funding
Current funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Professor Alan Tilbrook is:
- Not available for supervision
Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Effect of Analgesia and Haemostasis on Beef Calves during dehorning in Northern Australia
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Kieren McCosker
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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
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Doctor Philosophy
An Exploratory Study of Wool Cortisol and Fibre Characteristics in Merino Sheep
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Nick Hudson, Professor John Gaughan
Completed supervision
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2021
Doctor Philosophy
Dietary amino acid excesses and appetition in weaned pigs
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Eugeni Roura
Media
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