
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
-
Reproductive Biology of Wildlife
The study of fundamental (anatomy, physiology and behaviour) and applied biology of the reproduction of Australian fauna and exotic mammals
-
Assessment of male human fertility
Studies centred around the assessment of sperm DNA fragmentation in human reproductive medicine
-
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
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
2021
Journal Article
Cumulus cell DNA damage as an Index of human oocyte competence
Baratas, Alejandro, Gosalvez, Jaime, de la Casa, Moises, Camacho, Silvia, Dorado-Silva, Monica, Johnston, Stephen D. and Roy, Rosa (2021). Cumulus cell DNA damage as an Index of human oocyte competence. Reproductive Sciences, 29 (11), 1-7. doi: 10.1007/s43032-021-00817-7
2021
Journal Article
DNase activity in human seminal plasma and follicular fluid and its inhibition by follicular fluid chelating agents
Bartolomé, Javier, Romeo, Sandra Claver, Dorado-Silva, Mónica, García de la Vega, Carlos, López, Carmen, Sánchez-Martín, Pascual, Johnston, Stephen and Gosálvez, Jaime (2021). DNase activity in human seminal plasma and follicular fluid and its inhibition by follicular fluid chelating agents. Reproductive BioMedicine Online, 43 (6), 1079-1086. doi: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2021.09.015
2021
Journal Article
Koala retrovirus genetic diversity and transmission dynamics within captive koala populations
Joyce, Briony A., Blyton, Michaela D. J., Johnston, Stephen D., Young, Paul R. and Chappell, Keith J. (2021). Koala retrovirus genetic diversity and transmission dynamics within captive koala populations. National Academy of Sciences. Proceedings, 118 (38) e2024021118, e2024021118. doi: 10.1073/pnas.2024021118
2021
Journal Article
Proteomic analysis of koala (phascolarctos cinereus) spermatozoa and prostatic bodies
Skerrett-Byrne, David A., Anderson, Amanda L., Hulse, Lyndal, Wass, Caillin, Dun, Matthew D., Bromfield, Elizabeth G., De Iuliis, Geoffry N., Pyne, Michael, Nicolson, Vere, Johnston, Stephen D. and Nixon, Brett (2021). Proteomic analysis of koala (phascolarctos cinereus) spermatozoa and prostatic bodies. Proteomics, 21 (19) 2100067, e2100067. doi: 10.1002/pmic.202100067
2021
Journal Article
Plasma progesterone secretion during gestation of the captive short-beaked echidna
Dutton-Regester, Kate, Keeley, Tamara, Fenelon, Jane C., Roser, Alice, Meer, Haley, Hill, Andrew, Pyne, Michael, Renfree, Marilyn B. and Johnston, Stephen (2021). Plasma progesterone secretion during gestation of the captive short-beaked echidna. Reproduction, 162 (4), 267-275. doi: 10.1530/REP-21-0110
2021
Journal Article
The effect of Chlamydia infection on koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) semen quality
Hulse, Lyndal, Beagley, Kenneth, Larkin, Rebecca, Nicolson, Vere, Gosálvez, Jaime and Johnston, Stephen (2021). The effect of Chlamydia infection on koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) semen quality. Theriogenology, 167, 99-110. doi: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2021.03.016
2021
Journal Article
Plasma and acrosomal membrane lipid content of saltwater crocodile spermatozoa
Miller, R. R., Beranek, F., Anderson, A. L., Johnston, S. D. and Nixon, B. (2021). Plasma and acrosomal membrane lipid content of saltwater crocodile spermatozoa. Reproduction, Fertility and Development, 33 (9), 596-604. doi: 10.1071/rd21007
2021
Journal Article
The unique penile morphology of the short-beaked echidna, Tachyglossus aculeatus
Fenelon, Jane C., McElrea, Caleb, Shaw, Geoff, Evans, Alistair R., Pyne, Michael, Johnston, Stephen D. and Renfree, Marilyn B. (2021). The unique penile morphology of the short-beaked echidna, Tachyglossus aculeatus. Sexual Development, 15 (4), 1-10. doi: 10.1159/000515145
2021
Journal Article
Gross and microanatomy of the male reproductive duct system of the saltwater crocodile Crocodylus porosus
Nixon, Brett, Anderson, Amanda L., Bromfield, Elizabeth G., Martin, Jacinta H., Lord, Tessa, Cafe, Shenae L., Roman, Shaun D., Skerrett-Byrne, David A., Eamens, Andrew L., De Iuliis, Geoffry N. and Johnston, Stephen D. (2021). Gross and microanatomy of the male reproductive duct system of the saltwater crocodile Crocodylus porosus. Reproduction, Fertility and Development, 33 (9), 540-554. doi: 10.1071/rd20303
2021
Journal Article
Thermoregulation of the bovine scrotum 2: simulated acute and chronic heat waves reduces the scrotal thermoregulatory capability of Wagyu bulls
Wallage, Andrea L., Lees, A. M., Lisle, A. T., Lees, J. C., Johnston, S. D. and Gaughan, J. B. (2021). Thermoregulation of the bovine scrotum 2: simulated acute and chronic heat waves reduces the scrotal thermoregulatory capability of Wagyu bulls. International Journal of Biometeorology, 66 (2), 251-262. doi: 10.1007/s00484-021-02108-x
2021
Journal Article
Post-testicular sperm maturation in the saltwater crocodile Crocodylus porosus: assessing the temporal acquisition of sperm motility
Nixon, Brett, Anderson, Amanda L., Bromfield, Elizabeth G., Martin, Jacinta H., Cafe, Shenae L., Skerrett-Byrne, David A., Dun, Matthew D., Eamens, Andrew L., De Iuliis, Geoffry N. and Johnston, Stephen D. (2021). Post-testicular sperm maturation in the saltwater crocodile Crocodylus porosus: assessing the temporal acquisition of sperm motility. Reproduction, Fertility and Development, 33 (9), 530-539. doi: 10.1071/rd20204
2021
Journal Article
Platypus and echidna genomes reveal mammalian biology and evolution
Zhou, Yang, Shearwin-Whyatt, Linda, Li, Jing, Song, Zhenzhen, Hayakawa, Takashi, Stevens, David, Fenelon, Jane C., Peel, Emma, Cheng, Yuanyuan, Pajpach, Filip, Bradley, Natasha, Suzuki, Hikoyu, Nikaido, Masato, Damas, Joana, Daish, Tasman, Perry, Tahlia, Zhu, Zexian, Geng, Yuncong, Rhie, Arang, Sims, Ying, Wood, Jonathan, Haase, Bettina, Mountcastle, Jacquelyn, Fedrigo, Olivier, Li, Qiye, Yang, Huanming, Wang, Jian, Johnston, Stephen D., Phillippy, Adam M. ... Zhang, Guojie (2021). Platypus and echidna genomes reveal mammalian biology and evolution. Nature, 592 (7856), 756-762. doi: 10.1038/s41586-020-03039-0
2021
Journal Article
Assisted breeding technology in the saltwater crocodile Crocodylus porosus: a review and look to the future
Johnston, Stephen D., Lever, John, McLeod, Robby, Qualischefski, Edward, Madrigal-Valverde, Monica and Nixon, Brett (2021). Assisted breeding technology in the saltwater crocodile Crocodylus porosus: a review and look to the future. Reproduction, Fertility and Development, 33 (9), 503-518. doi: 10.1071/rd20217
2020
Journal Article
Microencapsulation of human spermatozoa increases membrane stability and DNA longevity
Gosálvez, Jaime, López‐Fernández, Carmen, Fernández, José Luís and Johnston, Stephen (2020). Microencapsulation of human spermatozoa increases membrane stability and DNA longevity. Andrologia, 53 (2) e13924, e13924. doi: 10.1111/and.13924
2020
Journal Article
Effect of season on individual stallion semen characteristics
Crespo, F., Wilson, R., Díaz-Jimenez, M., Consuegra, C., Dorado, J., Barrado, B. García, Gosálvez, J., Smit, R. Louis, Hidalgo, M. and Johnston, S. (2020). Effect of season on individual stallion semen characteristics. Animal Reproduction Science, 223 106641, 106641. doi: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2020.106641
2020
Journal Article
The occurrence and pathology of chlamydiosis in the male reproductive tract of non-human mammals: a review
Pagliarani, Sara, Johnston, Stephen D., Beagley, Kenneth W., Dief, Hamdy and Palmieri, Chiara (2020). The occurrence and pathology of chlamydiosis in the male reproductive tract of non-human mammals: a review. Theriogenology, 154, 152-160. doi: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2020.05.033
2020
Journal Article
Free circulating DNA and DNase activity in the ejaculates of men with spinal cord injury
Bartolomé-Nebreda, Javier, Vargas-Baquero, Eduardo, López-Fernández, Carmen, Fernández, José Luís, Johnston, Stephen and Gosálvez, Jaime (2020). Free circulating DNA and DNase activity in the ejaculates of men with spinal cord injury. Spinal Cord, 59 (2), 167-174. doi: 10.1038/s41393-020-0518-3
2020
Journal Article
Transient role of the middle ear as a lower jaw support across mammals
Anthwal, Neal, Fenelon, Jane Catherine, Johnston, Stephen D., Renfree, Marilyn B. and Tucker, Abigail S (2020). Transient role of the middle ear as a lower jaw support across mammals. eLife, 9 e57860, 1-36. doi: 10.7554/elife.57860
2020
Journal Article
Assessment of avian sperm DNA fragmentation using the sperm chromatin dispersion assay
Johnston, Stephen D., López-Fernández, Carmen, Pappin, Eloise, Hampe, Alexandra, Doneley, Robert, Lierz, Michael and Gosálvez, Jaime (2020). Assessment of avian sperm DNA fragmentation using the sperm chromatin dispersion assay. Reproduction, Fertility and Development, 32 (10), 948-952. doi: 10.1071/rd19420
Funding
Current funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Associate Professor Steve Johnston is:
- Not available for supervision
Supervision history
Current supervision
-
Doctor Philosophy
Comparative Anatomy and Physiology of Monotreme and Marsupial Accessory Glands
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Chiara Palmieri, Dr Taylor Pini
-
Doctor Philosophy
Hatching out the secrets of female monotreme reproductive biology
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Chiara Palmieri, Dr Taylor Pini
-
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
-
Doctor Philosophy
Novel strategies for marsupial genetic preservation and in vitro embryo production
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Andres Gambini
-
Doctor Philosophy
Novel methods for improving in vitro production of bovine embryos
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Andres Gambini
Completed supervision
-
2023
Doctor Philosophy
New insights into the reproductive physiology of female short-beaked echidnas
Principal Advisor
-
2021
Doctor Philosophy
The effect of Chlamydia on male koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) fertility
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Chiara Palmieri
-
2021
Doctor Philosophy
The effect of heat stress on testicular thermoregulation in the bovine
Principal Advisor
-
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
-
2018
Doctor Philosophy
Spermatogenesis and Sperm Assessment in the Black Tiger Prawn, Penaeus monodon
Principal Advisor
-
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
-
2018
Master Philosophy
The assessment of reproductive function, behaviour and adrenal physiology in captive male southern hairy-nosed wombats (Lasiorhinus latifrons)
Principal Advisor
-
-
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
-
2013
Doctor Philosophy
The Novel Reproductive Biology of Flying-foxes (Pteropus spp.): Implications for the Development of Assisted Reproductive Technologies
Principal Advisor
-
2012
Master Philosophy
Chlamydial Disease of the Male Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) Reproductive Tract
Principal Advisor
-
2009
Doctor Philosophy
Refinement of Artificial Insemination Program in the Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) with an Emphasis on Male Factor Fertility
Principal Advisor
-
2009
Doctor Philosophy
Functional Approaches to the Development of Koala Sperm Cryopreservation Techniques
Principal Advisor
-
-
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
-
2023
Doctor Philosophy
Understanding the koala retrovirus epidemic: genetic diversity, transmission and immunogenicity
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Keith Chappell
-
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
-
2020
Doctor Philosophy
The physiological and behavioural adaptations in koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) in response to climate change
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Bill Ellis
-
2013
Doctor Philosophy
REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY OF THE MALE AUSTRALIAN PARROT An emphasis on the cockatiel (Nymphicus hollandicus)
Associate Advisor
-
2012
Doctor Philosophy
The behavioural biology and management of southern hairy-nosed wombats (Lasiorhinus latifrons) in captivity
Associate Advisor
-
2010
Doctor Philosophy
The behaviour and reproductive biology of captive southern hairy-nosed wombats (Lasiorhinus latifrons)
Associate Advisor
-
2008
Doctor Philosophy
The identification of factors responsible for boar testicular hypertrophy following neonatal hemicastration
Associate Advisor
-
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
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
Need help?
For help with finding experts, story ideas and media enquiries, contact our Media team: