
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
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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
1993
Journal Article
Human Recombinant Inhibin-A Suppresses Plasma Follicle-Stimulating-Hormone to Intact Levels But Has No Effect On Luteinizing-Hormone in Castrated Rams
Tilbrook, AJ, Dekretser, DM and Clarke, IJ (1993). Human Recombinant Inhibin-A Suppresses Plasma Follicle-Stimulating-Hormone to Intact Levels But Has No Effect On Luteinizing-Hormone in Castrated Rams. Biology of Reproduction, 49 (4), 779-788. doi: 10.1095/biolreprod49.4.779
1993
Journal Article
Effect of High-Protein Feed Supplements On Concentrations of Growth-Hormone (Gh), Insulin-Like Growth Factor-I (Igf-I) and Igf-Binding Protein-3 in Plasma and On the Amounts of Gh and Messenger-Rna for Gh in the Pituitary-Glands of Adult Rams
Clarke, IJ, Fletcher, TP, Pomares, CC, Holmes, Jhg, Dunshea, F, Thomas, GB, Tilbrook, AJ, Walton, PE and Galloway, DB (1993). Effect of High-Protein Feed Supplements On Concentrations of Growth-Hormone (Gh), Insulin-Like Growth Factor-I (Igf-I) and Igf-Binding Protein-3 in Plasma and On the Amounts of Gh and Messenger-Rna for Gh in the Pituitary-Glands of Adult Rams. Journal of Endocrinology, 138 (3), 421-427. doi: 10.1677/joe.0.1380421
1993
Journal Article
Human Recombinant Inhibin-A and Testosterone Act Directly At the Pituitary to Suppress Plasma-Concentrations of Fsh in Castrated Rams
Tilbrook, AJ, Dekretser, DM and Clarke, IJ (1993). Human Recombinant Inhibin-A and Testosterone Act Directly At the Pituitary to Suppress Plasma-Concentrations of Fsh in Castrated Rams. Journal of Endocrinology, 138 (2), 181-189. doi: 10.1677/joe.0.1380181
1993
Journal Article
Treatment of Young Rams with an Agonist of GnRH Delays Reproductive Development
Tilbrook, AJ, Galloway, DB, Williams, AH and Clarke, IJ (1993). Treatment of Young Rams with an Agonist of GnRH Delays Reproductive Development. Hormones and Behavior, 27 (1), 5-28. doi: 10.1006/hbeh.1993.1002
1993
Conference Publication
The Role of Inhibin in the Control of Fsh and Spermatogenesis
Dekretser, DM, Tilbrook, AJ, Clarke, IJ, Simpson, BJ and Wreford, N (1993). The Role of Inhibin in the Control of Fsh and Spermatogenesis. 3rd Organon Round Table Conference - GnRH, GnRH Analogs, Gonadotropins and Gonadal Peptides, Paris France, 1992. LANCASTER: PARTHENON PUBLISHING GROUP LTD.
1992
Journal Article
Short-Term Reduction in Egg Production in Laying Hens Treated with an Agonist of GNRH
Tilbrook, AJ, Johnson, RJ, Eason, PJ, Walsh, JD, Trigg, TE and Clarke, IJ (1992). Short-Term Reduction in Egg Production in Laying Hens Treated with an Agonist of GNRH. British Poultry Science, 33 (3), 621-638. doi: 10.1080/00071669208417501
1992
Journal Article
Influence of the sexual motivation of the boar on the sexual partner preferences of oestrous gilts
Hemsworth, PH, Price, EO and Tilbrook, AJ (1992). Influence of the sexual motivation of the boar on the sexual partner preferences of oestrous gilts. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 33 (2-3), 209-215. doi: 10.1016/S0168-1591(05)80008-5
1992
Journal Article
Evidence that Dopaminergic Neurons are not Involved in the Negative Feedback Effect of Testosterone on Luteinizing Hormone in Rams in the Non‐Breeding Season
Tilbrook, AJ and Clarke, IJ (1992). Evidence that Dopaminergic Neurons are not Involved in the Negative Feedback Effect of Testosterone on Luteinizing Hormone in Rams in the Non‐Breeding Season. Journal of Neuroendocrinology, 4 (3), 365-374. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2826.1992.tb00181.x
1992
Journal Article
A role for inhibin in the regulation of the secretion of follicle stimulating hormone in male domestic animals
Tilbrook, AJ, Dekretser, DM and Clarke, IJ (1992). A role for inhibin in the regulation of the secretion of follicle stimulating hormone in male domestic animals. Domestic Animal Endocrinology, 9 (4), 243-260. doi: 10.1016/0739-7240(92)90013-N
1992
Conference Publication
Stress and Reproduction in Farm-Animals
Clarke, IJ, Hemsworth, PH, Barnett, JL and Tilbrook, AJ (1992). Stress and Reproduction in Farm-Animals. International Symp On Stress and Reproduction, Port Douglas Australia, Jul 25-27, 1991. NEW YORK: RAVEN PRESS.
1992
Journal Article
Influence of non-photoperiodic environmental factors on reproduction in domestic animals
Clarke, IJ and Tilbrook, AJ (1992). Influence of non-photoperiodic environmental factors on reproduction in domestic animals. Animal Reproduction Science, 28 (1-4), 219-228. doi: 10.1016/0378-4320(92)90108-P
1991
Journal Article
The Negative Feedback Effects of Testicular-Steroids Are Predominantly At the Hypothalamus in the Ram
Tilbrook, AJ, Dekretser, DM, Cummins, JT and Clarke, IJ (1991). The Negative Feedback Effects of Testicular-Steroids Are Predominantly At the Hypothalamus in the Ram. Endocrinology, 129 (6), 3080-3092. doi: 10.1210/endo-129-6-3080
1991
Journal Article
Studies On the Testicular Source of Inhibin and its Route of Secretion in Rams - Failure of the Leydig-Cell to Secrete Inhibin in Response to a Human Chorionic-Gonadotropin Lh Stimulus
Tilbrook, AJ, Dekretser, DM and Clarke, IJ (1991). Studies On the Testicular Source of Inhibin and its Route of Secretion in Rams - Failure of the Leydig-Cell to Secrete Inhibin in Response to a Human Chorionic-Gonadotropin Lh Stimulus. Journal of Endocrinology, 130 (1), 107-114. doi: 10.1677/joe.0.1300107
1991
Journal Article
Inhibin in Rams
Clarke, IJ, Tilbrook, AJ, Galloway, DB, Earl, CR, Findlay, JK and Dekretser, DM (1991). Inhibin in Rams. Journal of Reproduction and Fertility, 43, 163-170.
1990
Journal Article
Parallel changes in the proceptive and receptive behaviour of the ewe
Tilbrook, AJ, Hemsworth, PH, Topp, JS and Cameron, Awn (1990). Parallel changes in the proceptive and receptive behaviour of the ewe. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 27 (1-2), 73-92. doi: 10.1016/0168-1591(90)90008-2
1990
Journal Article
Detection of oestrus in gilts housed adjacent or opposite boars or exposed to exogenous boar stimuli
Tilbrook, AJ and Hemsworth, PH (1990). Detection of oestrus in gilts housed adjacent or opposite boars or exposed to exogenous boar stimuli. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 28 (3), 233-245. doi: 10.1016/0168-1591(90)90102-J
1989
Journal Article
Effect of Shearing On Estrus and Ovulation in Sheep
Parr, RA, Davis, IF and Tilbrook, AJ (1989). Effect of Shearing On Estrus and Ovulation in Sheep. Journal of Agricultural Science, 113 (3), 411-412. doi: 10.1017/S0021859600070143
1989
Journal Article
An investigation of the social behaviour and response to humans of young cattle
Tilbrook, AJ, Hemsworth, PH, Barnett, JL and Skinner, A (1989). An investigation of the social behaviour and response to humans of young cattle. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 23 (1-2), 107-116. doi: 10.1016/0168-1591(89)90011-7
1989
Journal Article
Ram mating preferences for woolly rather than recently shorn ewes
Tilbrook, AJ and Cameron, Awn (1989). Ram mating preferences for woolly rather than recently shorn ewes. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 24 (4), 301-312. doi: 10.1016/0168-1591(89)90058-0
1989
Journal Article
The effects of handling by humans at calving and during milking on the behaviour and milk cortisol concentrations of primiparous dairy cows
Hemsworth, PH, Barnett, JL, Tilbrook, AJ and Hansen, C (1989). The effects of handling by humans at calving and during milking on the behaviour and milk cortisol concentrations of primiparous dairy cows. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 22 (3-4), 313-326. doi: 10.1016/0168-1591(89)90026-9
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
PhD Analgesia and Haemostasis to achieve high standards of beef calf welfare in northern Australia
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Kieren McCosker
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Doctor Philosophy
Early life experiences and stress resilience in pigs
Principal Advisor
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Doctor Philosophy
Early life stress and subsequent stress resilience and emotionality in pigs
Principal Advisor
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Doctor Philosophy
Maternal-foetal programming of stress resilience in Merino sheep
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Nick Hudson
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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
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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