
Overview
Background
A/Prof Stephen Johnston is a Reader in Reproduction (40% Teaching; 40% Research and 20% Service) in the School of Environment at the University of Queensland, where he teaches animal reproduction and captive husbandry to Bachelor of Wildlife Science and Science undergraduate and postgraduate students. He is current program coordinator for the Bachelor of Wildlife Science Program. He is also a research affiliate in the School of Veterinary Science. Stephen was trained as a zoologist and specialises in the area of reproductive biology in a broad diversity of species ranging from prawns to tigers but with a major focus on Australian mammals. A/Prof Johnston has published 300 scientific works in basic and applied science disciplines including reproductive anatomy, physiology and behaviour. He was the first person in the world to produce a pouch young following artificial insemination in a marsupial, a task that he and his colleagues have now carried out successfully in the koala, a total of 34 times. Stephen is also a specialist in the cryopreservation of marsupial spermatozoa and in the assessment of sperm DNA fragmentation, including human and domestic animal spermatozoa. A/Prof Johnston’s recent research interests and grant success include studies aimed at a better understanding of the effect of chlamydia on male koala reproduction, heat stress in koalas, sociobiology of koalas, genetic and reproductive management of koalas, wombat captive reproduction, echidna captive breeding, crocodile artificial insemination and prawn aquaculture. He is a Fellow of the Society for Reproductive Biology (2019)
Availability
- Associate Professor Steve Johnston is:
- Not available for supervision
- Media expert
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Bachelor (Honours) of Science (Advanced), The University of Queensland
- Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland
Research interests
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Reproductive Biology of Wildlife
The study of fundamental (anatomy, physiology and behaviour) and applied biology of the reproduction of Australian fauna and exotic mammals
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Assessment of male human fertility
Studies centred around the assessment of sperm DNA fragmentation in human reproductive medicine
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Cryopreservation of spermatozoa
A study of the cryopreservation of spermatozoa of vertebrate species
Research impacts
For 25 years, A/Prof Johnston has been the leader in the development of assisted breeding technology in Australian native fauna, with a strong interest in marsupial reproduction. His successful koala artificial breeding technology has been incorporated into State Government Conservation Policy and Legislation. The koala assisted breeding technology, which he developed, is also currently been used by the Queensland Zoo industry for genetic exchange and there are plans to use the technology for the overseas export of koala sperm to Japan and the United States. This work has also received recent acknowledgement n the Koala Expert Panel Final Report to the Queensland Government (2018). He provides expert advice and consultancy to the (1) Zoo Industry - Dreamworld, Australia Zoo, Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, Taronga Zoo, Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, Rockhampton Zoo, Perth Zoo, Australian Animals Care and Education, Sea World, Paradise Country, San Diego Zoo, Australian Japan Wildlife Education Conservation Foundation, Japanese Zoo Industry (2) Production Animal Industry - Koorana Crocodile Farm, Ag Force – teacher education programs, Prawn and Aquaculture (DAFFI and CSIRO). He is a regular media commentator on wildlife related issues for TV and radio and has been involved with numerous documentaries on marsupial and monotreme reproduction including “Koala Miracle” by Lyndal Davies (1998) from Rock Wallaby Productions, (which featured his work on the successful artificial insemination of the koala) “Miracle babies” produced by National Geographic Channel (2012) - http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/wild/episodes/koala-dating-game1/ and morerecently, a new documentary “Born in the Wild” produced by Charlotte Hunt-Grubble from Windfall Films on my koala and echidna reproductive research.
Works
Search Professor Steve Johnston’s works on UQ eSpace
2023
Journal Article
The koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) prostate: a comprehensive histological and immunohistochemical investigation
Campbell, Yolande, Palmieri, Chiara, Pagliarani, Sara, Gordon, Jo and Johnston, Stephen (2023). The koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) prostate: a comprehensive histological and immunohistochemical investigation. Biology of Reproduction, 109 (5), 644-653. doi: 10.1093/biolre/ioad098
2023
Journal Article
Getting out of a mammalian egg: the egg tooth and caruncle of the echidna
Fenelon, Jane C., Bennetts, Abbie, Anthwal, Neal, Pyne, Michael, Johnston, Stephen D., Evans, Alistair R., Tucker, Abigail S. and Renfree, Marilyn B. (2023). Getting out of a mammalian egg: the egg tooth and caruncle of the echidna. Developmental Biology, 495, 8-18. doi: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2022.12.005
2023
Journal Article
Intra-individual variation of sperm DNA fragmentation in the Human ejaculate
González-Martínez, Mercedes, López-Fernández, Carmen, Sánchez-Martín, Pascual, Johnston, Stephen D. and Gosálvez, Jaime (2023). Intra-individual variation of sperm DNA fragmentation in the Human ejaculate. Systems Biology in Reproductive Medicine, 69 (3), 215-222. doi: 10.1080/19396368.2023.2175738
2023
Journal Article
Bacterial DNase activity as a putative inductor of sperm DNA fragmentation in infected bull frozen-thawed semen samples
Gosálvez, Jaime, Bartolomé-Nebreda, Javier, Tvrdá, Eva, López-Fernández, Carmen, Fernández, José Luís and Johnston, Stephen (2023). Bacterial DNase activity as a putative inductor of sperm DNA fragmentation in infected bull frozen-thawed semen samples. Theriogenology, 197, 224-231. doi: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2022.12.011
2023
Journal Article
The efficacy of novel centrifugation-free sperm selection (IO-Lix) on sperm parameters and ICSI reproductive outcomes
Cabello, Yolanda, Belchín, Pedro, González-Martínez, Mercedes, López-Fernández, Carmen, Johnston, Stephen and Gosálvez, Jaime (2023). The efficacy of novel centrifugation-free sperm selection (IO-Lix) on sperm parameters and ICSI reproductive outcomes. Reproductive Biomedicine Online, 46 (2), 267-273. doi: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2022.11.002
2023
Journal Article
Investigating the utility of using fecal hormone metabolites as a reproductive management tool for captive short-beaked echidnas (Tachyglossus aculeatus)
Dutton-Regester, Kate J., Roser, Alice, Meer, Haley, Russell, Freya A., Pyne, Michael, Renfree, Marilyn B., Johnston, Stephen D. and Keeley, Tamara (2023). Investigating the utility of using fecal hormone metabolites as a reproductive management tool for captive short-beaked echidnas (Tachyglossus aculeatus). General and Comparative Endocrinology, 330 114142, 114142. doi: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2022.114142
2022
Journal Article
Validation of a Non-Invasive Assessment Technique for Quantifying Faecal Glucocorticoid Metabolite Concentrations in The Short-Beaked Echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus)
Russell, Freya A., Johnston, Stephen D., Hill, Andrew, Roser, Alice, Meer, Haley, Fenelon, Jane C., Renfree, Marilyn B. and Keeley, Tamara (2022). Validation of a Non-Invasive Assessment Technique for Quantifying Faecal Glucocorticoid Metabolite Concentrations in The Short-Beaked Echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus). General and Comparative Endocrinology, 327 114092, 1-8. doi: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2022.114092
2022
Journal Article
Diversity and transmission of koala retrovirus: a case study in three captive koala populations
Joyce, Briony A., Blyton, Michaela D. J., Johnston, Stephen D., Meikle, William D., Vinette Herrin, Kimberly, Madden, Claire, Young, Paul R. and Chappell, Keith J. (2022). Diversity and transmission of koala retrovirus: a case study in three captive koala populations. Scientific Reports, 12 (1) 15787, 1-8. doi: 10.1038/s41598-022-18939-6
2022
Journal Article
Optimizing captive short‐beaked echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus) fecal sample identification and hormonal analysis
Dutton‐Regester, Kate J., Roser, Alice, Meer, Haley, Renfree, Marilyn B., Johnston, Stephen D. and Keeley, Tamara (2022). Optimizing captive short‐beaked echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus) fecal sample identification and hormonal analysis. Zoo Biology, 42 (2), 322-327. doi: 10.1002/zoo.21732
2022
Journal Article
Chlamydiosis and cystic dilatation of the ovarian bursa in the female koala (Phascolarctos cinereus): Novel insights into the pathogenesis and mechanisms of formation
Pagliarani, Sara, Johnston, Stephen D., Beagley, Kenneth W., Hulse, Lyndal and Palmieri, Chiara (2022). Chlamydiosis and cystic dilatation of the ovarian bursa in the female koala (Phascolarctos cinereus): Novel insights into the pathogenesis and mechanisms of formation. Theriogenology, 189, 280-289. doi: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2022.06.022
2022
Journal Article
Suckling behaviour of beef calves during the first five days postpartum
Hogan, Lindsay A., McGowan, Michael R., Johnston, Stephen D., Lisle, Allan T. and Schooley, Kylie (2022). Suckling behaviour of beef calves during the first five days postpartum. Ruminants, 2 (3), 321-340. doi: 10.3390/ruminants2030022
2022
Journal Article
Sperm dna damage in men with spinal cord injury: the relative incidence of single‐ and double‐strand dna breaks
Gosálvez, Jaime, Vargas‐Baquero, Eduardo, López‐Fernández, Carmen, Bartolomé‐Nebreda, Javier, Fernández, José Luís and Johnston, Stephen (2022). Sperm dna damage in men with spinal cord injury: the relative incidence of single‐ and double‐strand dna breaks. Andrology, 10 (7), 1292-1301. doi: 10.1111/andr.13210
2022
Journal Article
Correction to: genetic sex test for the short-beaked echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus)
Keating, Shannon E., Fenelon, Jane C., Pyne, Michael, Pinto, Brendan J., Guzmán-Méndez, Irán Andira, Johnston, Stephen D., Renfree, Marilyn B. and Gamble, Tony (2022). Correction to: genetic sex test for the short-beaked echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus). Conservation Genetics Resources, 14 (3), 279-279. doi: 10.1007/s12686-022-01277-0
2022
Journal Article
Genetic sex test for the short-beaked echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus)
Keating, Shannon E., Fenelon, Jane C., Pyne, Michael, Pinto, Brendan J., Guzmán-Méndez, Irán Andira, Johnston, Stephen D., Renfree, Marilyn B. and Gamble, Tony (2022). Genetic sex test for the short-beaked echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus). Conservation Genetics Resources, 14 (3), 271-278. doi: 10.1007/s12686-022-01258-3
2022
Journal Article
Modelling genetic benefits and financial costs of integrating biobanking into the captive management of koalas
Howell, Lachlan G., Johnston, Stephen D., O’Brien, Justine K., Frankham, Richard, Rodger, John C., Ryan, Shelby A., Beranek, Chad T., Clulow, John, Hudson, Donald S. and Witt, Ryan R. (2022). Modelling genetic benefits and financial costs of integrating biobanking into the captive management of koalas. Animals, 12 (8) 990, 990. doi: 10.3390/ani12080990
2022
Journal Article
Investigation of pathology associated with Chlamydia pecorum infection in the male reproductive tract, and the effect on spermatogenesis and semen quality in the koala (Phascolarctos cinereus)
Hulse, Lyndal, Palmieri, Chiara, Beagley, Kenneth W., Larkin, Rebecca, Keeley, Tamara, Gosalvez, Jaime and Johnston, Stephen D. (2022). Investigation of pathology associated with Chlamydia pecorum infection in the male reproductive tract, and the effect on spermatogenesis and semen quality in the koala (Phascolarctos cinereus). Theriogenology, 180, 30-39. doi: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2021.12.011
2022
Journal Article
Antibiotic toxicity on human spermatozoa assessed using the sperm DNA fragmentation dynamic assay
Tímermans, Ana, Vázquez, Rosana, Otero, Fátima, Gosálvez, Jaime, Johnston, Stephen and Fernández, José Luis (2022). Antibiotic toxicity on human spermatozoa assessed using the sperm DNA fragmentation dynamic assay. Andrologia, 54 (2) e14328, e14328. doi: 10.1111/and.14328
2022
Journal Article
Temporal effect of feeding on the body temperature and behaviour of captive koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus)
Adam, D., Johnston, S. D., Beard, L., Nicolson, V., Lisle, A. T., Gaughan, J. B., Larkin, R., Theilemann, P. and Ellis, W. (2022). Temporal effect of feeding on the body temperature and behaviour of captive koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus). Australian Mammalogy, 44 (1), 16-23. doi: 10.1071/AM20024
2022
Journal Article
In vitro transmission of Chlamydia using naturally infected koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) semen
Hulse, Lyndal, Beagley, Kenneth W., Larkin, Rebecca and Johnston, Stephen D. (2022). In vitro transmission of Chlamydia using naturally infected koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) semen. Reproduction, Fertility and Development, 34 (3), 378-384. doi: 10.1071/rd21233
2022
Journal Article
Reproductive behaviour before and after oestrus and oviposition in the captive short-beaked echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus)
Dutton-Regester, Kate J., Roser, Alice, Meer, Haley, Renfree, Marilyn B., Phillips, Clive and Johnston, Stephen D. (2022). Reproductive behaviour before and after oestrus and oviposition in the captive short-beaked echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus). Reproduction, Fertility and Development, 34 (14), 920-932. doi: 10.1071/rd22092
Funding
Current funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Associate Professor Steve Johnston is:
- Not available for supervision
Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Comparative Anatomy and Physiology of Monotreme and Marsupial Accessory Glands
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Chiara Palmieri, Dr Taylor Pini
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Doctor Philosophy
The Development and Application of Assisted Breeding Technology for theConservation of Avian wildlife
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Bob Doneley, Dr Taylor Pini
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Doctor Philosophy
Novel strategies for marsupial genetic preservation and in vitro embryo production
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Andres Gambini
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Doctor Philosophy
Novel methods for improving in vitro production of bovine embryos
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Andres Gambini
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Doctor Philosophy
Hatching out the secrets of female monotreme reproductive biology
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Chiara Palmieri, Dr Taylor Pini
Completed supervision
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2023
Doctor Philosophy
New insights into the reproductive physiology of female short-beaked echidnas
Principal Advisor
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2021
Doctor Philosophy
The effect of Chlamydia on male koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) fertility
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Chiara Palmieri
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2021
Doctor Philosophy
The effect of heat stress on testicular thermoregulation in the bovine
Principal Advisor
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2019
Doctor Philosophy
The establishment of a Living Genome Resource Bank utilising genetic analysis and assisted breeding technology: a case study on the koala (Phascolarctos cinereus)
Principal Advisor
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2018
Doctor Philosophy
Spermatogenesis and Sperm Assessment in the Black Tiger Prawn, Penaeus monodon
Principal Advisor
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2018
Master Philosophy
The assessment of reproductive function, behaviour and adrenal physiology in captive male southern hairy-nosed wombats (Lasiorhinus latifrons)
Principal Advisor
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2018
Doctor Philosophy
The use of urine as a tool to analyse the reproductive function of captive female southern hairy-nosed wombats (Lasiorhinus latifrons)
Principal Advisor
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2015
Doctor Philosophy
New insights into the Reproductive Physiology and Management of the Female Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus): Factors affecting the control of the oestrous cycle
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Stephen Anderson
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2013
Doctor Philosophy
The Novel Reproductive Biology of Flying-foxes (Pteropus spp.): Implications for the Development of Assisted Reproductive Technologies
Principal Advisor
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2012
Master Philosophy
Chlamydial Disease of the Male Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) Reproductive Tract
Principal Advisor
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2009
Doctor Philosophy
Refinement of Artificial Insemination Program in the Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) with an Emphasis on Male Factor Fertility
Principal Advisor
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2009
Doctor Philosophy
Functional Approaches to the Development of Koala Sperm Cryopreservation Techniques
Principal Advisor
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2005
Master Philosophy
REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY OF THE MALE AND FEMALE COMMON WOMBAT, Vombatus ursinus: STUDIES TOWARDS THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN ARTIFICAL INSEMINATION PROTOCAL
Principal Advisor
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2023
Doctor Philosophy
Understanding the koala retrovirus epidemic: genetic diversity, transmission and immunogenicity
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Keith Chappell
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2021
Doctor Philosophy
Further insights into the pathogenesis of Chlamydiosis and characterisation of immune cells in the reproductive tract of koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus)
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Chiara Palmieri
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2020
Doctor Philosophy
The physiological and behavioural adaptations in koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) in response to climate change
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Bill Ellis
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2013
Doctor Philosophy
REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY OF THE MALE AUSTRALIAN PARROT An emphasis on the cockatiel (Nymphicus hollandicus)
Associate Advisor
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2012
Doctor Philosophy
The behavioural biology and management of southern hairy-nosed wombats (Lasiorhinus latifrons) in captivity
Associate Advisor
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2010
Doctor Philosophy
The behaviour and reproductive biology of captive southern hairy-nosed wombats (Lasiorhinus latifrons)
Associate Advisor
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2008
Master Philosophy
Longitudinal Changes in Testosterone Secretion and Agressive Behaviour and the Use of a GnRH Agonist in Male Australian Sea Lions, Neophoca Cinerea
Associate Advisor
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2008
Doctor Philosophy
The identification of factors responsible for boar testicular hypertrophy following neonatal hemicastration
Associate Advisor
Media
Enquiries
Contact Associate Professor Steve Johnston directly for media enquiries about:
- Animal reproduction
- Bilbies
- Breeding technologies - for animals
- Captive breeding programs
- Crocodile reproduction
- Cryopreservation - animal genetics
- Embryo transfer - animals
- Exotic animals - reproductive biology
- IVF - for animals
- Kangaroos
- Koalas
- Koalas - reproductive biology
- Reproduction in animals
- Rhinos
- Spermatology - animal studies
- Wildlife reproductive biology
- Wombats
- Zoo captive breeding
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