About Us
Who we are
The Queensland Sperm Morphology Laboratory (QSML) was established by former staff of the University of Queensland Sperm Morphology Laboratory in Goondiwindi Queensland to handle the growing demand from bull owners and veterinarians to include sperm morphology as part of the Bull Breeding Soundness Evaluation (BBSE). Dr Viv Perry has completed extensive research into bull fertility publishing her first work in this area in 1990 (Perry et al., 1990).
Building on this work the bull power team under Dick Holroyd has shown that sperm morphology is the factor most correlated with fertility and calf output in both multi-sire and single sire joinings (Holroyd et al.2002), example shown in graph below (courtesy of G. Fordyce)
QSML operates two fully equipped Sperm Morphology Laboratories
Allowing fast reliable examination of samples even in peak season (1-5 day turn around) using x1000 magnification under excellent state of the art DIC microscopes. Experienced staff with tertiary scientific qualifications and advanced training in sperm evaluation and microscopy have provided a trusted quality service since 2007. Staff also undertake ongoing training and have been accredited morphologists under the ACV listed program.
Dr Perry has been instrumental to the development and integration of bull morphology examination into the Australian BBSE program developing the first standardised analysis (Perry et al., 2002) and being the foundation ACV Chief Examiner from 2002 when the ACV bull reporter scheme was first developed. This scheme has been recognised as the gold standard for BBSE and the joint publication describing this scheme (Fordyce et al., 2006) is highly cited worldwide.
Dr Perry has continued to teach undergraduate and postgraduate veterinarians in male ruminant reproduction at the Universities of Queensland, Adelaide and most recently at the University of Nottingham in the UK where she held the post of Associate Professor in Veterinary Reproduction. A key mentor to Dr Perry in bull fertility and morphology has been Professor Albert Barth with whom she has taught BBSE masterclasses in Australia and the UK.
The technical staff at QSML
QSML operates two fully equipped Sperm Morphology Laboratories. Laboratory 1 is run by Kelli Prosser and Laboratory 2 by Judy Felton-Taylor allowing fast reliable examination of samples even in peak season (1-5 day turn around) using x1000 magnification under excellent DIC microscopes with camera attachments. Laboratory 2 is also equipped for frozen thawed sperm assessment. These experienced staff both with tertiary scientific qualifications and advanced training in sperm evaluation and microscopy have provided a trusted quality service since 2007. Both Judy and Kelli share an enthusiasm for cattle production living on cattle and grain properties close to Goondiwindi. All staff undertake ongoing training and are accredited morphologists under the ACV listed program.
QSML staff have enjoyed participating in the standardisation and proficiency workshops currently run in collaboration with the University of Queensland School of Veterinary Science. QSML has recently updated its services by undertaking Schiff staining in some samples and, where borderline counts occur, have increased the count number following recent guideline updates on standardisation of laboratory techniques. These advanced services are offered at no additional cost to the client. Current Research projects are being undertaken in collaboration with Peter McAuliffe and Betty Rhindfliesh and Dr Perry’s PhD students in the UK and Australia.
The team at QSML
