The University of Western Australia
Assoc/Prof Dominique Blache
Associate Professor
Contact details
| Address | School of Animal Biology The University of Western Australia (M085) 35 Stirling Highway CRAWLEY WA 6009 Australia |
|---|---|
| Phone | 6488 3587 |
| Fax | 6488 2243 |
| dbla@animals.uwa.edu.au |
Biography
I was born in France and grew up in what is the wheat-belt there. I graduated in Science at the University of Tours (France) and completed my PhD at the University of Bordeaux (France). During my PhD, I worked at Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA) in Tours (France) and the AFRC Neuroendocrine Laboratory at Babraham in the UK. I was then awarded a Postdoctoral Fellowship from the University of Western Australia and, since 1993, have been working on projects funded by ARC or NHMRC.
My research interest is in the mechanisms used by external and internal factors to influence reproductive function. I have been working with sheep and emus and I have used a wide range of approaches to investigate these questions, such as behaviour, in-situ hybridisation and radioimmunoassay. Supported by NHMRC, I have developed a radioimmunoassay for leptin that is suitable for samples from sheep and a variety of other animals. This assay has led to a large number of collaborations nationwide and worldwide with top laboratories working in reproduction and nutrition (UK, USA, NZ, Denmark, Turkey, France). Moreover, to date, 20 papers in refereed journals and more than 35 abstracts have been published using data generated by this assay. I have published more than 65 papers in peer-reviewed journals and 90 communications at scientific meetings. I have published 6 invited reviews including the work done during the previous ARC and NHMRC grants. I have a strong interest in the neural and hormonal pathways in the regulation of intake, bodyweight, metabolism and reproduction by external and internal signals. I have been invited to present my work in specialist symposia at several international and national meeting such as the Ruminant Reproduction Symposium (Wellington NZ 2006).
In July 2000, I was appointed as a Lecturer in Animal Science and developed and coordinated the new unit “Animal Welfare and Ethics”. I was promoted to Senior lecturer in 2005. I have supervised 17 PhD students and 27 undergraduate projects since 1993. The most recent PhDs have used endocrine, molecular and behavioural approaches to study the regulation of reproductive capacity by external factors such as nutrition and internal factors such as emotional reactivity. I am Chief Investigator in one RIRDC grant investigating the effect of nutrition on the reproductive capacity of alpacas. Since 2005, I have been project manager on 4 Meat and Livestock Australia grants investigating the consequences of selection of temperament on reproductive performance, production traits and animal welfare. These projects have involved 2 PhD students, 8 honours students and collaborations with French teams led by Dr Alain Boissy, Pascal Poindron and Raymond Nowak from the Institut Nationale de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA).
My research interest is in the mechanisms used by external and internal factors to influence reproductive function. I have been working with sheep and emus and I have used a wide range of approaches to investigate these questions, such as behaviour, in-situ hybridisation and radioimmunoassay. Supported by NHMRC, I have developed a radioimmunoassay for leptin that is suitable for samples from sheep and a variety of other animals. This assay has led to a large number of collaborations nationwide and worldwide with top laboratories working in reproduction and nutrition (UK, USA, NZ, Denmark, Turkey, France). Moreover, to date, 20 papers in refereed journals and more than 35 abstracts have been published using data generated by this assay. I have published more than 65 papers in peer-reviewed journals and 90 communications at scientific meetings. I have published 6 invited reviews including the work done during the previous ARC and NHMRC grants. I have a strong interest in the neural and hormonal pathways in the regulation of intake, bodyweight, metabolism and reproduction by external and internal signals. I have been invited to present my work in specialist symposia at several international and national meeting such as the Ruminant Reproduction Symposium (Wellington NZ 2006).
In July 2000, I was appointed as a Lecturer in Animal Science and developed and coordinated the new unit “Animal Welfare and Ethics”. I was promoted to Senior lecturer in 2005. I have supervised 17 PhD students and 27 undergraduate projects since 1993. The most recent PhDs have used endocrine, molecular and behavioural approaches to study the regulation of reproductive capacity by external factors such as nutrition and internal factors such as emotional reactivity. I am Chief Investigator in one RIRDC grant investigating the effect of nutrition on the reproductive capacity of alpacas. Since 2005, I have been project manager on 4 Meat and Livestock Australia grants investigating the consequences of selection of temperament on reproductive performance, production traits and animal welfare. These projects have involved 2 PhD students, 8 honours students and collaborations with French teams led by Dr Alain Boissy, Pascal Poindron and Raymond Nowak from the Institut Nationale de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA).
Key research
- 1. Effects of Nutrition on the Reproductive System in sheep
- 2. Nutrition and reproduction and fleece
- quality in alpacas
- 3. Animal ethics and welfare
- Understanding the motivation of producers to adopt new strategies to improve animal welfare
Major research interests
- Animal behaviour and welfare
- Endocrinology and reproduction in sheep and emus
Qualifications
MSc Tours, PhD Bordeaux
Publications
2008
Beausoleil, N., Blache, D., Stafford, K.J., Mellor, D.J., Noble, A.D.L., 2008. Exploring the basis of divergent selection for ‘temperament’ in domestic sheep. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 109, 261-274.
Blache, D., Maloney, S.K., Revell, D., 2008. Use and limitations of alternative feed resources to sustain and improve reproductive performance in sheep and goats. Animal Feed Science and Technology 147, 140-157.
Blache, D., Martin, G.B., Maloney, S.K., 2008. Towards ethically improved animal experimentation in the study of animal reproduction. Reproduction in Domestic Animals 43 (Supll. 2), 8-14.
Chagas, L.M., Gore, P.J.S., Graham, G., Macdonald, K.A., Blache, D., 2008. Effect of restricted feeding and monopropylene glycol postpartum on metabolic hormones and postpartum anestrus in grazing dairy heifers. Journal of Dairy Science 91, 1822-1833.
Digby, S., Masters, D., Blache, D., Blackberry, M., Hynd, P.I., Revell, D., 2008. Reproductive capacity of Merino ewes fed a high-salt diet. Animal 2, 1353-1360.
Forhead, A.J., Lamb, C.A., Franko, K.L., O'Connor, D.M., Wooding, F.B.P., Cripps, R.L., Ozanne, S.E., Blache, D., Min, D., Fowden, A.L., 2008. Role of leptin in the regulation of growth and carbohydrate metabolism in the ovine fetus during late gestation. Journal of Physiology 586, 2393-2403.
Husted, S.M., Nielsen, B.D., Blache, D., Ingvartsen, K.L., 2008. Glucose homeostasis and metabolic adaptation in the pregnant and lactating sheep are affected by the level of nutrition previously provided during her late fetal life. Domestic Animal Endocrinology 34, 419-431.
Martin, G.B., Blache, D., Williams, I.H., 2008. Allocation of resources to reproduction, In: Rauw, W. (Ed.), Resource allocation theory applied to farm animal production, Oxford University Press, Oxford, pp. 169-191.
Nowak, R., Porter, R.H., Blache, D., Dwyer, C.M., 2008. Behaviour and welfare of sheep, In: Dwyer, C.M. (Ed.), The welfare of sheep, Springer, Berlin, pp. 81-134.
Rasmussen, A.N., Nielsen, M.O., Tauson, A.-H., Offenberg, H., Thomsen, P.D., Blache, D., 2008. Mammary gland leptin in relation to lactogenesis in the periparturient dairy goat. Small Ruminant Research 75, 71-79.
Roche, J.F., Blache, D., Kay, J.K., Miller, D.R., Sheahan, A.J., Miller, D.W., 2008. Neuroendocrine and physiological regulation of intake with particular reference to domesticated ruminant animals. Nutr. Res. Rev. 21, 207–234.
Roche, J.R., Sheahan, A.J., Chagas, L.M., Blache, D., Berry, D.P., Kay, J.K., 2008. Long-Term Infusions of Ghrelin and Obestatin in Early Lactation Dairy Cows. Journal of Dairy Science 91, 4728-4740.
Tygesen, M.P., Tauson, A.-H., Blache, D., Husted, S.M., Nielsen, M.O., 2008. Late foetal life nutrient restriction and sire genotype affect postnatal performance of lambs. Animal 2, 574-581.
Wells, A.E.D., Blache, D., 2008. Horses do not exhibit motor bias when their balance is challenged. Animal 2, 1645-1650.
2007
Alvarez, R.L., Galindo, M.F., Zarco, Q.L., Blache, D., Martin, G.B., 2007. Social rank and response to the “male effect” in the Australian Cashmere goat. Animal Reproduction Science 102, 258-266.
Anukulkitch, C., Rao, A., Dunshea, F., Blache, D., Lincoln, G., Clarke, I., 2007. Influence of photoperiod and gonadal status on food intake, adiposity and gene expression of hypothalamic appetite regulators in a seasonal mammal. American Journal of Physiology 292, R242-R252.
Blache, D., Chagas, L.M., Martin, G.B., 2007. Nutritional inputs into the reproductive neuroendocrine control system – a multidimensional perspective, In: Juengel, J.I., Murray, J.F., Smith, M.F. (Eds.), Reproduction in Domestic Ruminants VI, Nottingham University Press, Nottingham, UK, pp. 123-139.
Blache, D., Grandison, M.J., Masters, D.G., Dynes, R.A., Blackberry, M.A., Martin, G.B., 2007. Relationships between metabolic endocrine systems and voluntary feed intake in Merino sheep fed a high salt diet. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 47, 544-550.
Celi, P., Walkden-Brown, S.W., Blache, D., Szell, A.Z., Wilkinson, H.M., Martin, G.B., 2007. Twin efficiency for reproductive variables in monozygotic twin sheep. Theriogenology 68, 663-672.
Chagas, L.M., Bass, J.J., Blache, D., Burke, C.R., Kay, J.K., Lindsay, D.R., Lucy, M.C., Martin, G.B., Meir, S., Rhodes, F.M., Roche, J.R., Thatcher, W.W., Webb, R., 2007. New perspectives on the roles of nutrition and metabolic priorities in the subfertility of high-producing dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science 90, 4022-4032.
Hawken, P.A.R., Beard, A.P., Esmaili, T., Kadokawa, H., Evans, A.C., Blache, D., Martin, G.B., 2007. The introduction of rams induces an increase in pulsatilie LH secretion in cyclic ewes during the breeding season. Theriogenology 68, 56-66.
Husted, S.M., Nielsen, M.O., Tygesen, M.P., Kiani, A., Blache, D., Ingvartsen, K.L., 2007. Programming of intermediate metabolism in young lambs affected by late gestational maternal undernourishment. American Journal of Physiology 293, E548-E557.
Kadokawa, H., Aikawa, K., Kimura, K., Blache, D., Williams, I.H., Martin, G.B., 2007. Links between de novo fatty acid synthesis and leptin secretion in bovine adipocytes. J. Vet. Med. Sci. 69, 225-231.
Maloney, S.K., Mitchell, D., Blache, D., 2007. The contribution of carotid rete variability to brain temperature variability in sheep in a thermoneutral environment. American Journal of Physiology 292, R1298-R1305.
Matthiesen, C.F., Blache, D., Tauson, A.-H., 2007. Effect of in utero metabolic programming on postnatal growth of mink kits, In: Ortigues-Marty, I. (Ed.), Energy and protein metabolism and nutrition. EAAP publication, no. 124, Wageningen Academic Publishers, Vichy, pp. 201-202.
O'Connor, D.M., Blache, D., Hoggard, N., Brookes, E., Wooding, F.B., Fowden, A.L., Forhead, A.J., 2007. Developmental control of plasma leptin and adipose leptin mRNA in the ovine fetus during late gestation: role of glucocorticoids and thyroid hormones. Endocrinology 148, 3750-3757.
Szymanski, L.A., Schneider, J.E., Friedman, M.I., Ji, H., Kurose, Y., Blache, D., Rao, A., Dunshea, F.R., Clarke, I.J., 2007. Changes in insulin, glucose and ketone bodies, but not leptin or body fat content precede restoration of luteinising hormone secretion in ewes. Journal of Neuroendocrinology 19, 449-460.
2006
Blache, D., Zhang, S., Martin, G.B., 2006. Dynamic and integrative aspects of the regulation of reproduction by metabolic status in male sheep. Reproduction, Nutrition, Development 46, 379-390.
Celi, P., Blache, D., Blackberry, M., Martin, G.B., 2006. Intracerebroventricular infusion of leptin into mature Merino rams of different metabolic status: effects on blood concentrations of glucose and reproductive and metabolic hormones. Reproduction in Domestic Animals 41, 79-90.
Chagas, L.M., Rhodes, F.M., Blache, D., Gore, P.J.S., MacDonald, K.A., Verkerk, G.A., 2006. Precalving feeding and body condition effects on metabolic responses and postpartum anestrus interval in grazing primiparous dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science 89, 1981-1989.
Hart, K.W., Chadwick, A., Sébé, F., Poindron, P., Nowak, R., Blache, D., 2006. Colostrum quality of ewes of calm temperament is not responsible for low lamb mortality. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 46, 827-829.
Kadokawa, H., Blache, D., Martin, G.B., 2006. Plasma leptin levels correlate positively with pulsatile LH secretion in early postpartum Holstein dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science 89, 3020-3027.
Muirhead, S., Blache, D., Wykes, B., Bencini, R., 2006. Roo-Guard® sound emitters are not effective at deterring tammar wallabies (Macropus eugenii) from a source of food. Wildlife Research 33, 131-136.
Beausoleil, N., Blache, D., Stafford, K.J., Mellor, D.J., Noble, A.D.L., 2008. Exploring the basis of divergent selection for ‘temperament’ in domestic sheep. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 109, 261-274.
Blache, D., Maloney, S.K., Revell, D., 2008. Use and limitations of alternative feed resources to sustain and improve reproductive performance in sheep and goats. Animal Feed Science and Technology 147, 140-157.
Blache, D., Martin, G.B., Maloney, S.K., 2008. Towards ethically improved animal experimentation in the study of animal reproduction. Reproduction in Domestic Animals 43 (Supll. 2), 8-14.
Chagas, L.M., Gore, P.J.S., Graham, G., Macdonald, K.A., Blache, D., 2008. Effect of restricted feeding and monopropylene glycol postpartum on metabolic hormones and postpartum anestrus in grazing dairy heifers. Journal of Dairy Science 91, 1822-1833.
Digby, S., Masters, D., Blache, D., Blackberry, M., Hynd, P.I., Revell, D., 2008. Reproductive capacity of Merino ewes fed a high-salt diet. Animal 2, 1353-1360.
Forhead, A.J., Lamb, C.A., Franko, K.L., O'Connor, D.M., Wooding, F.B.P., Cripps, R.L., Ozanne, S.E., Blache, D., Min, D., Fowden, A.L., 2008. Role of leptin in the regulation of growth and carbohydrate metabolism in the ovine fetus during late gestation. Journal of Physiology 586, 2393-2403.
Husted, S.M., Nielsen, B.D., Blache, D., Ingvartsen, K.L., 2008. Glucose homeostasis and metabolic adaptation in the pregnant and lactating sheep are affected by the level of nutrition previously provided during her late fetal life. Domestic Animal Endocrinology 34, 419-431.
Martin, G.B., Blache, D., Williams, I.H., 2008. Allocation of resources to reproduction, In: Rauw, W. (Ed.), Resource allocation theory applied to farm animal production, Oxford University Press, Oxford, pp. 169-191.
Nowak, R., Porter, R.H., Blache, D., Dwyer, C.M., 2008. Behaviour and welfare of sheep, In: Dwyer, C.M. (Ed.), The welfare of sheep, Springer, Berlin, pp. 81-134.
Rasmussen, A.N., Nielsen, M.O., Tauson, A.-H., Offenberg, H., Thomsen, P.D., Blache, D., 2008. Mammary gland leptin in relation to lactogenesis in the periparturient dairy goat. Small Ruminant Research 75, 71-79.
Roche, J.F., Blache, D., Kay, J.K., Miller, D.R., Sheahan, A.J., Miller, D.W., 2008. Neuroendocrine and physiological regulation of intake with particular reference to domesticated ruminant animals. Nutr. Res. Rev. 21, 207–234.
Roche, J.R., Sheahan, A.J., Chagas, L.M., Blache, D., Berry, D.P., Kay, J.K., 2008. Long-Term Infusions of Ghrelin and Obestatin in Early Lactation Dairy Cows. Journal of Dairy Science 91, 4728-4740.
Tygesen, M.P., Tauson, A.-H., Blache, D., Husted, S.M., Nielsen, M.O., 2008. Late foetal life nutrient restriction and sire genotype affect postnatal performance of lambs. Animal 2, 574-581.
Wells, A.E.D., Blache, D., 2008. Horses do not exhibit motor bias when their balance is challenged. Animal 2, 1645-1650.
2007
Alvarez, R.L., Galindo, M.F., Zarco, Q.L., Blache, D., Martin, G.B., 2007. Social rank and response to the “male effect” in the Australian Cashmere goat. Animal Reproduction Science 102, 258-266.
Anukulkitch, C., Rao, A., Dunshea, F., Blache, D., Lincoln, G., Clarke, I., 2007. Influence of photoperiod and gonadal status on food intake, adiposity and gene expression of hypothalamic appetite regulators in a seasonal mammal. American Journal of Physiology 292, R242-R252.
Blache, D., Chagas, L.M., Martin, G.B., 2007. Nutritional inputs into the reproductive neuroendocrine control system – a multidimensional perspective, In: Juengel, J.I., Murray, J.F., Smith, M.F. (Eds.), Reproduction in Domestic Ruminants VI, Nottingham University Press, Nottingham, UK, pp. 123-139.
Blache, D., Grandison, M.J., Masters, D.G., Dynes, R.A., Blackberry, M.A., Martin, G.B., 2007. Relationships between metabolic endocrine systems and voluntary feed intake in Merino sheep fed a high salt diet. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 47, 544-550.
Celi, P., Walkden-Brown, S.W., Blache, D., Szell, A.Z., Wilkinson, H.M., Martin, G.B., 2007. Twin efficiency for reproductive variables in monozygotic twin sheep. Theriogenology 68, 663-672.
Chagas, L.M., Bass, J.J., Blache, D., Burke, C.R., Kay, J.K., Lindsay, D.R., Lucy, M.C., Martin, G.B., Meir, S., Rhodes, F.M., Roche, J.R., Thatcher, W.W., Webb, R., 2007. New perspectives on the roles of nutrition and metabolic priorities in the subfertility of high-producing dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science 90, 4022-4032.
Hawken, P.A.R., Beard, A.P., Esmaili, T., Kadokawa, H., Evans, A.C., Blache, D., Martin, G.B., 2007. The introduction of rams induces an increase in pulsatilie LH secretion in cyclic ewes during the breeding season. Theriogenology 68, 56-66.
Husted, S.M., Nielsen, M.O., Tygesen, M.P., Kiani, A., Blache, D., Ingvartsen, K.L., 2007. Programming of intermediate metabolism in young lambs affected by late gestational maternal undernourishment. American Journal of Physiology 293, E548-E557.
Kadokawa, H., Aikawa, K., Kimura, K., Blache, D., Williams, I.H., Martin, G.B., 2007. Links between de novo fatty acid synthesis and leptin secretion in bovine adipocytes. J. Vet. Med. Sci. 69, 225-231.
Maloney, S.K., Mitchell, D., Blache, D., 2007. The contribution of carotid rete variability to brain temperature variability in sheep in a thermoneutral environment. American Journal of Physiology 292, R1298-R1305.
Matthiesen, C.F., Blache, D., Tauson, A.-H., 2007. Effect of in utero metabolic programming on postnatal growth of mink kits, In: Ortigues-Marty, I. (Ed.), Energy and protein metabolism and nutrition. EAAP publication, no. 124, Wageningen Academic Publishers, Vichy, pp. 201-202.
O'Connor, D.M., Blache, D., Hoggard, N., Brookes, E., Wooding, F.B., Fowden, A.L., Forhead, A.J., 2007. Developmental control of plasma leptin and adipose leptin mRNA in the ovine fetus during late gestation: role of glucocorticoids and thyroid hormones. Endocrinology 148, 3750-3757.
Szymanski, L.A., Schneider, J.E., Friedman, M.I., Ji, H., Kurose, Y., Blache, D., Rao, A., Dunshea, F.R., Clarke, I.J., 2007. Changes in insulin, glucose and ketone bodies, but not leptin or body fat content precede restoration of luteinising hormone secretion in ewes. Journal of Neuroendocrinology 19, 449-460.
2006
Blache, D., Zhang, S., Martin, G.B., 2006. Dynamic and integrative aspects of the regulation of reproduction by metabolic status in male sheep. Reproduction, Nutrition, Development 46, 379-390.
Celi, P., Blache, D., Blackberry, M., Martin, G.B., 2006. Intracerebroventricular infusion of leptin into mature Merino rams of different metabolic status: effects on blood concentrations of glucose and reproductive and metabolic hormones. Reproduction in Domestic Animals 41, 79-90.
Chagas, L.M., Rhodes, F.M., Blache, D., Gore, P.J.S., MacDonald, K.A., Verkerk, G.A., 2006. Precalving feeding and body condition effects on metabolic responses and postpartum anestrus interval in grazing primiparous dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science 89, 1981-1989.
Hart, K.W., Chadwick, A., Sébé, F., Poindron, P., Nowak, R., Blache, D., 2006. Colostrum quality of ewes of calm temperament is not responsible for low lamb mortality. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 46, 827-829.
Kadokawa, H., Blache, D., Martin, G.B., 2006. Plasma leptin levels correlate positively with pulsatile LH secretion in early postpartum Holstein dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science 89, 3020-3027.
Muirhead, S., Blache, D., Wykes, B., Bencini, R., 2006. Roo-Guard® sound emitters are not effective at deterring tammar wallabies (Macropus eugenii) from a source of food. Wildlife Research 33, 131-136.
Future research
Ethics of animal use in teaching
Languages
French (mother-tongue), English (fluent), Spanish (Knowledge) Thai (Knowledge)
Teaching
I currently lecture in the following units:
703.315 Animal Ethics & Welfare
703.351 Animal Science & Technology
703.315 Animal Ethics & Welfare
703.351 Animal Science & Technology
Current projects
Currently I supervise the following PhD Students:
Samantha Bickell - Improving lamb survival with calmer sheep
Alex Wells - Why people do what they do - Livestock handling
Joanne Elliott - Attitudes, social influence and human behaviour in the adoption of strategies to improve lamb survival
Sharon Tay - Does mums diet affect her offspring?
Travis Murray -Dairy ewes and temperament: shape up or sheep out
Kirrin Lund - Energy and nitrogen metabolism in alpacas
Aprille Chadwick - Improving welfare of reproductive technology for goats
Daud Dzulsuhaimi - Thermoregulation and reproduction in male alpacas
Samantha Bickell - Improving lamb survival with calmer sheep
Alex Wells - Why people do what they do - Livestock handling
Joanne Elliott - Attitudes, social influence and human behaviour in the adoption of strategies to improve lamb survival
Sharon Tay - Does mums diet affect her offspring?
Travis Murray -Dairy ewes and temperament: shape up or sheep out
Kirrin Lund - Energy and nitrogen metabolism in alpacas
Aprille Chadwick - Improving welfare of reproductive technology for goats
Daud Dzulsuhaimi - Thermoregulation and reproduction in male alpacas
Research profile
