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Research and publications

QSML funds and carries out research into bull fertility and the factors affecting sperm morphology, with universities in Australia and the UK.

Current research

Bull fertility

Recent studies cover the influence of pre-weaning nutrition on sexual development in bulls, and the effects of acidosis on sperm quality, funded by Ridley Agriproducts and QSML.

Australian Research Council Linkage funding, co-funded by S. Kidman and Co and Ridley Agriproducts, supports work on how nutrition during pregnancy affects sperm morphology and puberty in bulls.

A QSML-funded study of sperm morphology examination and reporting in Australasia shows the effects of breed, location and season on abnormalities.

Diet during heifer pregnancy

Studies of how nutrition during pregnancy affects placentation, blood flow, weaner growth, immune competence and neonatal behaviour.

Follow Dr Perry's work on her ResearchGate profile.

Publications

  1. Periconception and first trimester diet modifies appetite, hypothalamic gene expression, and carcass traits in bulls Copping KJ, Callaghan MJ, Geesink GH, Gugusheff JR, McMillen IC, Rodgers RJ, Muhlhausler BS, Vithayathil MA, Perry VEA Frontiers in Genetics 12, 2021 Early gestational protein restriction alters carcass traits, appetite and gene expression.
  2. The role of sperm morphology standards in the laboratory assessment of bull fertility in Australia Perry VEA Frontiers in Veterinary Science 8, 2021 The importance of standardisation in morphology assessment of bull sperm when completing the breeding soundness examination.
  3. Maternal periconceptional and first trimester protein restriction in beef heifers: effects on placental parameters and fetal and neonatal calf development Copping KJ, Hernandez-Medrano J, Hoare A, Hummitzsch K, McMillen IC, Morrison JL, Perry VEA Reproduction, Fertility and Development 32: 495–507, 2020 Early protein restriction reduced fetal organ development in a sex and time dependent manner.
  4. Maternal periconceptional and first trimester protein restriction in beef heifers: effects on maternal performance and early fetal growth Copping KJ, Hoare A, McMillen IC, Rodgers RJ, Wallace CR, Perry VEA Reproduction, Fertility and Development, 2020 Periconception protein supplementation significantly reduces early embryonic loss.
  5. Supplementation of rangeland primiparous Bos indicus x Bos taurus beef heifers during lactation. 2. Effects upon the reproductive development of bull calf progeny Callaghan MJ, Rodgers RJ, Perry VEA Theriogenology 152: 83–93, 2020 Heifer protein supplementation during lactation increased sperm quality and reduced age at sexual maturity in bull progeny.
  6. Supplementation of rangeland primiparous Bos indicus x Bos taurus beef heifers during lactation. 1. Effects on dam milk production and liveweight, bull calf growth, live carcass characteristics and metabolic hormone concentrations Callaghan MJ, Rodgers RJ, Perry VEA Theriogenology 152: 69–82, 2020 Heifer protein supplementation during lactation increased carcass muscle in the adult bull progeny.
  7. Effect of breed, age, season and region on sperm morphology in 11,387 bulls submitted to breeding soundness evaluation in Australia Felton-Taylor J, Prosser KA, Hernandez-Medrano JH, Gentili S, Copping KJ, Macrossan PE, Perry VEA Theriogenology 143: 1–7, 2020 Breed influenced both the type of sperm abnormality observed and the number of bulls passing the standard fertility test.
  8. Low protein intake during the preconception period in beef heifers affects offspring and maternal behavior Miguel-Pacheco GG, Perry VEA, Hernandez-Medrano JH, Wapenaar W, Keisler DH, Voigt JP Applied Animal Behaviour Science 215: 1–6, 2019 Pre-conception protein restriction increased standing time and suckling in the neonate.
  9. The effects of developmental programming upon neonatal mortality Perry VEA, Copping KJ, Miguel-Pacheco G, Hernandez-Medrano J Veterinary Clinics of North America: Food Animal Practice 35(2), 2019 How the maternal environment influences neonatal mortality and morbidity.
  10. Morphometric analyses and gene expression related to germ cells, gonadal ridge epithelial-like cells and granulosa cells during development of the bovine fetal ovary Hummitzsch K, Hatzirodos N, Irving-Rodgers HF, Hartanti MD, Perry VEA, Anderson RA, Rodgers RJ PLoS One 14: e0214130, 2019
  11. Morphometric and gene expression analyses of stromal expansion during development of the bovine fetal ovary Hartanti MD, Hummitzsch K, Irving-Rodgers HF, Bonner WM, Copping KJ, Anderson RA, McMillen IC, Perry VEA, Rodgers RJ Reproduction, Fertility and Development, 2018
  12. Transcriptional analysis of adipose tissue during development reveals depot-specific responsiveness to maternal dietary supplementation Fainberg HP, Birtwistle M, Alagal R, Pope M, Davies G, Woods R, Castellanos M, May ST, Ortori CA, Barrett DA, Perry V, Wiens F, Stahl B, van der Beek E, Sacks H, Budge H, Symonds ME Scientific Reports 8, 2018
  13. A refresher on sperm morphology Perry VEA Proceedings of the AVA Annual Conference, Brisbane, 2018
  14. Peri-conception and first-trimester diet modifies reproductive development in bulls Copping KJ, Ruiz-Diaz MD, Rutland CS, Mongan NP, Callaghan MJ, McMillen IC, Rodgers RJ, Perry VEA Reproduction, Fertility and Development 30: 703–720, 2018 Peri-conception low protein reduced sperm quality and delayed puberty.
  15. Ontogeny and thermogenic role for sternal fat in female sheep Henry BA, Pope M, Birtwistle M, Loughnan R, Alagal R, Fuller-Jackson JP, Perry V, Budge H, Clarke IJ, Symonds ME Endocrinology 158: 2212–2225, 2017
  16. Subacute ruminal acidosis reduces sperm quality in beef bulls Callaghan MJ, McAuliffe P, Rodgers RJ, Hernandez-Medrano J, Perry VEA Journal of Animal Science 94: 3215–3228, 2016
  17. Increased dietary protein in the second trimester of gestation increases live weight gain and carcass composition in weaner calves to 6 months of age Miguel-Pacheco GG, Curtain LD, Rutland C, Knott L, Norman ST, Phillips NJ, Perry VEA Animal, 2016
  18. Epigenetics and developmental programming of welfare and production traits in farm animals Sinclair KD, Rutherford KMD, Wallace JM, Brameld JM, Stöger R, Alberio R, Sweetman D, Gardner DS, Perry VEA, Adam CL, Ashworth CJ, Robinson JE, Dwyer CM Reproduction, Fertility and Development 28: 1443–1478, 2016
  19. The influence of peri-conception and first trimester dietary restriction of protein in cattle on meat quality traits of entire male progeny Alvarenga T, Copping KJ, Han X, Clayton E, Meyer R, Rodgers R, McMillen IC, Perry VEA, Geesink G Meat Science 121: 141–147, 2016
  20. Maternal endocrine adaptation throughout pregnancy to nutrient manipulation: consequences for sexually dimorphic programming of thyroid hormones and development of their progeny Micke GC, Sullivan TM, Kennaway D, Hernandez-Medrano J, Perry VEA Theriogenology 83: 604–615, 2015
  21. Sperm morphology evaluation and reporting in Australia Felton-Taylor J, Prosser KA, Perry VEA Australian Cattle Veterinarian 72: 23, 2014
  22. Sperm abnormalities: a pain in the gut Callaghan M, McAuliffe P, Perry VEA Australian Cattle Veterinarian 72: 16, 2014
  23. Fetal programming in 2yo calving heifers: peri-conception and first trimester protein supplementation alters fetal growth in a sex-specific manner Copping KJ, Hoare A, Callaghan M, McMillen IC, Rodgers RJ, Perry VEA Animal Production Science 54: 1334–1337, 2014
  24. Veterinary bull breeding soundness evaluation (book) Beggs D, Bertram J, Chenoweth P, Entwistle K, Fordyce G, Johnston H, Johnston P, McGowan M, Niethe G, Norman S, Perry V Australian Veterinary Association, 2013
  25. Heifer nutrient intake during early- and mid-gestation programs adult offspring adiposity and mRNA expression of growth-related genes in adipose depots Micke GC, Sullivan TM, McMillen IC, Gentili S, Perry VEA Reproduction 141: 1–10, 2011
  26. Protein intake during gestation affects postnatal bovine skeletal muscle growth and relative expression of IGF1, IGF1R, IGF2 and IGF2R Micke GC, Sullivan TM, McMillen IC, Gentili S, Perry VEA Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology 332: 234–241, 2011
  27. Electroejaculators, morphology and microscopes (book) Johnston H, Johnston P, McAuliffe P, Perry V Australian Veterinary Association, 2010
  28. Nutrient intake of Bos indicus x heifers during early- and mid-gestation causes sex-specific changes in progeny liveweight, height and plasma IGF-I and -II postnatally Micke GC, Sullivan TM, Gatford KL, Owens JA, Perry VEA Animal Reproduction Science 117: 1–10, 2010
  29. Dystocia in three-year-old beef heifers: relationship to maternal nutrient intake during early- and mid-gestation, pelvic area and hormonal indicators of placental function Micke GC, Sullivan TM, Rolls PJ, Hasell B, Greer RM, Norman ST, Perry VEA Animal Reproduction Science 118: 163–170, 2010
  30. Dietary manipulation of Bos indicus x heifers during gestation affects the prepubertal reproductive development of their bull calves Sullivan TM, Micke GC, Greer RM, Perry VEA Animal Reproduction Science 118: 131–139, 2010
  31. Heifer nutrition during early- and mid-pregnancy alters fetal growth trajectory and birth weight Micke GC, Sullivan TM, Norman S, Rolls P, Perry VEA Animal Reproduction Science 117: 1–10, 2010
  32. Dietary protein and energy during gestation affects maternal IGF, IGFBP, leptin and fetal growth in heifers Sullivan TM, Micke GC, Perkins N, Martin GB, Wallace CR, Gatford KL, Owens JA, Perry VEA Journal of Animal Science 87: 3304–3316, 2009
  33. Dietary protein during gestation affects hormonal indicators of placental function and fetal development in heifers Sullivan TM, Micke GC, Magalhaes RS, Martin GB, Wallace CR, Green JA, Perry VEA Placenta 30: 348–354, 2009
  34. Influences of diet during gestation on the potential postpartum reproductive performance and milk production in beef heifers Sullivan TM, Micke GC, Perry VEA Theriogenology 72: 1202–1214, 2009
  35. Dietary protein during gestation affects placental development in heifers Sullivan TM, Micke GC, Magalhaes RS, Phillips NJ, Perry VEA Theriogenology 72: 427–438, 2009
  36. Dietary manipulation of Bos indicus x heifers during gestation affects the reproductive development of their heifer calves Sullivan TM, Micke GC, Greer RM, Irving-Rodgers H, Rodgers RJ, Perry VEA Reproduction, Fertility and Development 21(6): 773–784, 2009
  37. Fibrillins and latent TGFβ binding proteins in bovine ovaries of offspring following high or low protein diets during pregnancy of dams Prodoehl MJ, Irving-Rodgers HF, Bonner WM, Sullivan TM, Micke GC, Gibson MA, Perry VE, Rodgers RJ Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology 307(1–2): 133–141, 2009
  38. Standardising bull breeding soundness evaluations and reporting in Australia Fordyce G, Entwistle K, Norman S, Perry VEA, Gardiner B, Fordyce P Theriogenology 66: 1140–1148, 2006
  39. Semen collection and evaluation (book chapter) Perry VEA, Phillips N, Fordyce G, Gardner B, Entwistle K, Chenoweth P, Doogan V In Bull Fertility: Selection and Management, eds Fordyce and Entwistle, pp 5.1–5.19, 2002
  40. Insulin like growth factor levels during pregnancy in the cow are affected by protein supplementation in the maternal diet Perry VEA, Norman ST, Owens PC, Daniel RCW, Grant P, Doogan VJ Animal Reproduction Science 72(1–2): 1–10, 2002
  41. Heritability of mating behaviour traits in beef bulls Wade CM, Bertram JD, Pullen B, Perry VEA Proceedings of the Association for the Advancement of Animal Breeding and Genetics 14: 341–344, 2001
  42. Low dietary protein during early pregnancy alters bovine placental development Perry VEA, Norman ST, Owens JA, Daniel RCW, Phillips N Animal Reproduction Science 55: 13–21, 1999
  43. The effects of feeding whole cotton seed on the fertility of bulls Cusack PMV, Perry VEA Australian Veterinary Journal 72(12): 463–466, 1995
  44. Patterns of development of gonads, sex-drive and hormonal responses in tropical beef bulls Perry VEA, Chenoweth PJ, Post TB, Munro RK Theriogenology 35(2): 473–486, 1991
  45. Relationships among male and female reproductive traits Perry VEA, Chenoweth PJ, Post TB, Munro RK Australian Veterinary Journal 67(1): 4–5, 1990
  46. Fertility indices for beef bulls Perry VEA, Chenoweth PJ, Post TB, Munro RK Australian Veterinary Journal 67(1): 13–16, 1990
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