BVSc DVSc DipACT

Lee Morris graduated from The University of Sydney in 1992 with a Bachelor of Veterinary Science. After 2 years in rural veterinary practice in northern NSW, Australia she undertook a 3-year residency programme in Theriogenology at the University of Guelph in Canada during which time she also became a Diplomate of the American College of Theriogenologists in 1997, and then graduated with a Doctorate of Veterinary Science in 1998. Lee is also a Registered Specialist in Veterinary Reproduction in Australasia. In 2004, Lee was elected onto the committee for the International Symposium of Equine Reproduction. Lee has been honored as an Honarary Associate of The University of Sydney (Australia) and an Honorary Lecturer at The University of Waikato (NZ) in recognition of her contribution to research at both institutions.

Her DVSc thesis work encompassed in vitro studies (IVF) on the production of embryos and the assessment of male fertility. From 1998 to 2001 Lee was employed as the Senior Veterinary Research Scientist at the Equine Fertility Unit in Newmarket (UK) where she worked with Professor Twink Allen and developed the hysteroscopic (low dose) insemination procedure for horses. In 2001 Lee was the Senior Registrar at The University of Sydney from where she provided clinical reproductive services for horses and dogs and conducted research into sex-sorted semen. Lee is also the Australasian consultant to XY Inc. (USA) for research into sex- preselection of stallion sperm and has collaborated with Prof. Ed. Squires, Colorado State University. Lee has been in New Zealand since 2002 and is now the Specialist Equine Reproduction veterinarian at EquiBreed Ltd and a consultant to Glenbred canine artificial breeding services.

Lee has also lectured and provided clinical tuition to veterinary students at The University of Guelph (Canada), Cambridge University (UK) and The University of Sydney (Australia). Lee has also been the Industry supervisor of an MSc thesis (Waikato University, New Zealand) and a PhD thesis (The University of Sydney, Australia). She has published peer-reviewed scientific papers and has presented her research internationally. She has chapters in press in the Veterinary Clinics of North America and the textbook on Equine Reproduction edited by Samper, Pycock and McKinnon. Lee co-organised the Havemeyer Foundation Workshop in New Orleans in 2001 entitled “From Epididymis to Embryo” and the NZ Sport Horse Foundation Breeders seminar in 2003.

Her special interests include artificial insemination (AI), embryo transfer (ET), epididymal spermatozoa, hysteroscopy, equine laparoscopy, semen freezing technology, sex-sorted semen and challenging cases of mare or stallion infertility.

Kirsty and Douglas VDL

Office administration: Paula Smith. Paula manages our EquiBreed NZ Ltd office from 8.30am until 3pm each day during the breeding season. Paula comes from a background in the Thoroughbred industry and breeds and races some of her own horses. Please feel free to contact Paula for information about EquiBreed NZ Ltd and how we can help you breed your next champion!

Laboratory technician: Dr Nicole Hoffman will join us from Germany to freeze stallion semen and assist with our embryology work. Nicole has frozen semen at Celle National Stud and for the Holsteiner Verbande in Germany. Her thesis work involved the analysis of DNA fragmentation in stallion semen and factors contributing to the fertility of frozen semen.

Stallion handler: Chris Gillies. Chris has worked with both Thoroughbreds and Standardbreds. He has a special interest retraining and racing challenging Standardbreds. He enjoys working with the stallions as well as looking after the mares and the farm at EquiBreed NZ Ltd.

Equine technicians: Kirsty Woolsey. Kirsty has horses of her own and has also just spent the winter working at VDL stud in Holland where she fell in love with the stallions Indoctro, Cardento, Corland, Douglas, Emilion and the others! Kirsty will help to look after your horses at EquiBreed NZ Ltd and keeping the vet organised!

PhD Student: Zamira Gibb, The University of Sydney, Australia. Zamira is studying ways to improve the freezability of sex-sorted stallion semen.

MSc Student: Jody Blomfield, The University of Waikato, New Zealand. Jody is studying the effects of antioxidants on stallion fertility. This will be the first study to include fertility data as well as semen quality responses to dietary supplementation.