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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

121 - 140 of 211 works

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

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

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.

Differing modes of cortisol-induced suppression of pulsatile LH secretion in ovariectomized vs. ovary-intact ewes.

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

Sex difference in the suppressive effect of cortisol on pulsatile secretion of luteinizing hormone in sheep

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

Susceptibility of reproduction in female pigs to impairment by stress or elevation of cortisol

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

Y2 receptor-selective agonist delays the estrogen-induced luteinizing hormone surge in ovariectomized ewes, but Y1-receptor-selective agonist stimulates voluntary food intake

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

Co-localization and distribution of corticotrophin-releasing hormone, arginine vasopressin and enkephalin in the paraventricular nucleus of sheep: A sex comparison

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.

Cortisol delays the estradiol-induced LH surge: Is this dependent on prior ovarian steroid exposure?

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

Sex differences in the distribution and abundance of androgen receptor mRNA-containing cells in the preoptic area and hypothalamus of the ram and ewe

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

Does the type II glucocorticoid receptor mediate cortisol-induced suppression in pituitary responsiveness to gonadotropin-releasing hormone?

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

Reconstruction of in vivo time-evolving neuroendocrine dose-response properties unveils admixed deterministic and stochastic elements

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

Leptin-mediated effects of undernutrition or fasting on luteinizing hormone and growth hormone secretion in ovariectomized ewes depend on the duration of metabolic perturbation

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

Effect of Testosterone and Season on Proenkephalin Messenger RNA Expression in the Preoptic Area of the Hypothalamus in the Ram

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

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

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

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

2003

Journal Article

Neuronal inputs from the hypothalamus and brain stem to the medial preoptic area of the ram: Neurochemical correlates and comparison to the ewe

Scott, CJ, Clarke, LJ and Tilbrook, AJ (2003). Neuronal inputs from the hypothalamus and brain stem to the medial preoptic area of the ram: Neurochemical correlates and comparison to the ewe. Biology of Reproduction, 68 (4), 1119-1133. doi: 10.1095/biolreprod.102.010595

Neuronal inputs from the hypothalamus and brain stem to the medial preoptic area of the ram: Neurochemical correlates and comparison to the ewe

2003

Conference Publication

Cortisol does not suppress the luteinizing hormone (LH) response to gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) in hypothalamo-pituitary disconnected rams and ewes.

Stackpole, CA, Turner, AI, Clarke, IJ and Tilbrook, AJ (2003). Cortisol does not suppress the luteinizing hormone (LH) response to gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) in hypothalamo-pituitary disconnected rams and ewes.. 36th Annual Meeting of the Society-for-the-Study-of-Reproduction, Cincinnati Ohio, Jul 19-22, 2003. SOC STUDY REPRODUCTION.

Cortisol does not suppress the luteinizing hormone (LH) response to gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) in hypothalamo-pituitary disconnected rams and ewes.

2002

Journal Article

Stress and reproduction: Central mechanisms and sex differences in non-rodent species

Tilbrook, A. J., Turner, A. I. and Clarke, I. J. (2002). Stress and reproduction: Central mechanisms and sex differences in non-rodent species. Stress-The International Journal On the Biology of Stress, 5 (2), 83-100. doi: 10.1080/10253890290027912

Stress and reproduction: Central mechanisms and sex differences in non-rodent species

2002

Journal Article

Susceptibility of reproduction in female pigs to impairment by stress and the role of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis

Turner, AI, Hemsworth, PH and Tilbrook, AJ (2002). Susceptibility of reproduction in female pigs to impairment by stress and the role of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis. Reproduction Fertility and Development, 14 (6), 377-391. doi: 10.1071/RD02012

Susceptibility of reproduction in female pigs to impairment by stress and the role of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis

2002

Journal Article

Influence of sex and gonadal status of sheep on cortisol secretion in response to ACTH and on cortisol and LH secretion in response to stress: Importance of different stressors

Turner, AI, Canny, BJ, Hobbs, RJ, Bond, JD, Clarke, IJ and Tilbrook, AJ (2002). Influence of sex and gonadal status of sheep on cortisol secretion in response to ACTH and on cortisol and LH secretion in response to stress: Importance of different stressors. Journal of Endocrinology, 173 (1), 113-122. doi: 10.1677/joe.0.1730113

Influence of sex and gonadal status of sheep on cortisol secretion in response to ACTH and on cortisol and LH secretion in response to stress: Importance of different stressors

2002

Journal Article

Noradrenaline, but not neuropeptide Y, is elevated in cerebrospinal fluid from the third cerebral ventricle following audiovisual stress in gonadectomised rams and ewes

Turner, AI, Rivalland, ETA, Clarke, IJ, Lambert, GW, Morris, MJ and Tilbrook, AJ (2002). Noradrenaline, but not neuropeptide Y, is elevated in cerebrospinal fluid from the third cerebral ventricle following audiovisual stress in gonadectomised rams and ewes. Neuroendocrinology, 76 (6), 373-380. doi: 10.1159/000067584

Noradrenaline, but not neuropeptide Y, is elevated in cerebrospinal fluid from the third cerebral ventricle following audiovisual stress in gonadectomised rams and ewes

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

    Effect of Analgesia and Haemostasis on Beef Calves during dehorning in Northern Australia

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Kieren McCosker

  • 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

    Maternal-foetal programming of stress resilience in Merino sheep

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Nick Hudson

  • 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

Completed supervision

Media

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