Sean Fair


Contact Details

Associate Professor in Animal Reproduction
School of Natural Sciences,
Faculty of Science and Engineering,
University of Limerick
T: 00353 61 202548
F: 0035361 331490
E: sean.fair@ul.ie
 
researcher

Biography

Professor Fair graduated with a PhD from University College Dublin in 2006. He took up a position as Lecturer in Physiology in National University of Ireland, Galway in 2007 and in 2009 joined the academic staff in the University of Limerick where he is now Associate Professor in Animal Reproduction. His research is focused on sperm interaction with the female reproductive tract, and its secretions, across a range of species including cattle, sheep, horses and humans.

Research Interests

Professor Fair is interested in all aspects of assisted reproduction in domestic animals; however, his research group is principally focused on sperm interaction with the female reproductive tract and its secretions (bovine, equine, ovine and human) using a range of in vitro and in vivo research techniques. He has ongoing projects investigating (i) the variation between males in sperm functional parameters as well as in the uterine immunological response  (ii) the nutritional control of puberty (iii) sperm selection using micro-fluidics as well as (iv) ewe breed differences in cervical function and its relationship to sperm transport. His research is primarily funded by the Science Foundation Ireland (Investigators Programme), EU (ERA-Net), Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Research Stimulus Fund), Irish Research Council (PhD stipends), Enterprise Ireland (Commercialisation Fund), Teagasc (Walsh Fellowships) as well as industry support.

Peer Reviewed Journals

  Year Publication
2023 'Membrane remodulation and hyperactivation are impaired in frozen- thawed sperm of low-fertility bulls'
Stiavnicka, M, Hosek P, Abril-Parreno L, Kenny DA, Lonergan P, Fair S (2023) 'Membrane remodulation and hyperactivation are impaired in frozen- thawed sperm of low-fertility bulls'. Theriogenology, 195 :115-121 [DOI] [Details]
2023 'Genome-wide association study reveals candidate markers related to field fertility and semen quality traits in Holstein-Friesian bulls'
Abril-Parreño L.;Carthy T.R.;Keogh K.;Stiavnická M.;O'Meara C.;Lonergan P.;Kenny D.A.;Fair S. (2023) 'Genome-wide association study reveals candidate markers related to field fertility and semen quality traits in Holstein-Friesian bulls'. Animal, 17 (6) [DOI] [Details]
2023 'Early life nutrition affects the molecular ontogeny of testicular development in the young bull calf'
Coen S.;Keogh K.;Lonergan P.;Fair S.;Kenny D.A. (2023) 'Early life nutrition affects the molecular ontogeny of testicular development in the young bull calf'. Scientific Reports, 13 (1) [DOI] [Details]
2022 'Cervical immune activation during the luteal phase may compromise subsequent trans-cervical ram sperm transport'
Abril-Parreno L, Krogenaes AK, Druart X, Cormican, P, Fair S, Meade KG (2022) 'Cervical immune activation during the luteal phase may compromise subsequent trans-cervical ram sperm transport'. Biology Of Reproduction, 107 :967-976 [DOI] [Details]
2022 'Identification of differentially expressed mRNAs and miRNAs in spermatozoa of bulls of varying fertility'
Donnellan EM, Perrier JP, Keogh K, Stiavnická M, Collins CM, Dunleavy EM, Sellem E, Bernecic NC, Lonergan P, Kenny DA., Fair S (2022) 'Identification of differentially expressed mRNAs and miRNAs in spermatozoa of bulls of varying fertility'. Frontiers In Veterinary Science, 9 [DOI] [Details]
2022 'Sperm DNA methylation patterns at discrete CpGs and genes involved in embryonic development are related to bull fertility'
Stiavnická M, Chaulot-Talmon A, Perrier J.P, Hosek P, Kenny D.A, Lonergan P, Kiefer H, Fair S. (2022) 'Sperm DNA methylation patterns at discrete CpGs and genes involved in embryonic development are related to bull fertility'. Bmc Genomics, 23 (1) [DOI] [Details]
2022 'Increasing the frequency of ejaculate collection in young dairy bulls increases semen production and field fertility'
Taaffe P, O'Meara CM, Stiavnicka M, Byrne CJ, Eivers B, Lonergan P, Fair S (2022) 'Increasing the frequency of ejaculate collection in young dairy bulls increases semen production and field fertility'. Theriogenology, 182 :45-52 [DOI] [Details]
2022 'Identification of sperm proteins as biomarkers of field fertility in Holstein-Friesian bulls used for artificial insemination'
Rabaglino MB, Le Danvic C, Schibler L, Kupisiewicz K., Perrier JP, O'Meara CM, Kenny DA, Fair S, Lonergan P (2022) 'Identification of sperm proteins as biomarkers of field fertility in Holstein-Friesian bulls used for artificial insemination'. Journal Of Dairy Science, [DOI] [Details]
2022 'Biochemical and molecular characterization of sialylated cervical mucins in sheep¿'
Abril-Parreño L, Morgan J, Krogenæs A, Druart X, Cormican P, Gallagher ME, Reid C, Meade K, Saldova R, Fair S (2022) 'Biochemical and molecular characterization of sialylated cervical mucins in sheep¿'. Biology Of Reproduction, 107 (2):419-431 [DOI] [Details]
2022 'Proteomic analysis of spermatozoa reveals caseins play a pivotal role in preventing short-term periods of subfertility in stallions'
Griffin R.A.;Swegen A.;Baker M.A.;Ogle R.A.;Smith N.;Aitken R.J.;Skerrett-Byrne D.A.;Fair S.;Gibb Z. (2022) 'Proteomic analysis of spermatozoa reveals caseins play a pivotal role in preventing short-term periods of subfertility in stallions'. Biology Of Reproduction, 106 (4):741-755 [DOI] [Details]
2022 'Influence of sire fertility status on conceptus-induced transcriptomic response of the bovine endometrium'
O'Callaghan E, Sánchez JM, Rabaglino MB, McDonald M, Liu H, Spencer TE, Fair S, Kenny DA, Lonergan P (2022) 'Influence of sire fertility status on conceptus-induced transcriptomic response of the bovine endometrium'. Frontiers In Cell And Developmental Biology, 10 [DOI] [Details]
2022 'Ewe breed differences in the cervical transcriptome at the follicular phase of a synchronised oestrous cycle'
Abril-Parreño L.;Meade K.G.;Krogenæs A.K.;Druart X.;Cormican P.;Fair S. (2022) 'Ewe breed differences in the cervical transcriptome at the follicular phase of a synchronised oestrous cycle'. Bmc Genomics, 23 (1) [DOI] [Details]
2022 'Identification and characterization of O-linked glycans in cervical mucus as biomarkers of sperm transport: A novel sheep model'
Abril-Parreño L.;Wilkinson H.;Krogenæs A.;Morgan J.;Gallagher M.E.;Reid C.;Druart X.;Fair S.;Saldova R. (2022) 'Identification and characterization of O-linked glycans in cervical mucus as biomarkers of sperm transport: A novel sheep model'. Glycobiology, 32 (1):23-35 [DOI] [Details]
2022 'An ex-vivo assessment of differential sperm transport in the female reproductive tract between high and low fertility bulls'
Donnellan E.M.;Lonergan P.;Meade K.G.;Fair S. (2022) 'An ex-vivo assessment of differential sperm transport in the female reproductive tract between high and low fertility bulls'. Theriogenology, 181 :42-49 [DOI] [Details]
2021 '118 Influence of sire fertility status on conceptus-induced transcriptomic response of the bovine endometrium'
O'Callaghan E.;Sánchez J.M.;Rabaglino M.B.;McDonald M.;Liu H.;Spencer T.E.;Fair S.;Kenny D.A.;Lonergan P. (2021) '118 Influence of sire fertility status on conceptus-induced transcriptomic response of the bovine endometrium'. Reproduction Fertility And Development, 34 (2) [DOI] [Details]
2021 'Dietary supplementation with fish oil and safflower oil, during the finishing period, alters brisket muscle fatty acid profile and n-6/n-3 ratio but not carcass traits of dairy beef bulls'
Byrne, CJ;Fair, S;Dick, JR;Lonergan, P;Kenny, DA (2021) 'Dietary supplementation with fish oil and safflower oil, during the finishing period, alters brisket muscle fatty acid profile and n-6/n-3 ratio but not carcass traits of dairy beef bulls'. Applied Animal Science, 37 :436-444 [DOI] [Details]
2021 'Effect of plane of nutrition during the first 12 weeks of life on growth, metabolic and reproductive hormone concentrations, and testicular relative mRNA abundance in preweaned Holstein Friesian bull calves'
Coen, SP;Keogh, K;Byrne, CJ;Lonergan, P;Fair, S;Crowe, MA;Kenny, DA (2021) 'Effect of plane of nutrition during the first 12 weeks of life on growth, metabolic and reproductive hormone concentrations, and testicular relative mRNA abundance in preweaned Holstein Friesian bull calves'. Animal Science Journal, 99 [DOI] [Details]
2021 'Primary cilium-mediated MSC mechanotransduction is dependent on Gpr161 regulation of hedgehog signalling'
Johnson, GP;Fair, S;Hoey, DA (2021) 'Primary cilium-mediated MSC mechanotransduction is dependent on Gpr161 regulation of hedgehog signalling'. Bone, 145 [DOI] [Details]
2021 'Sperm selection by rheotaxis improves sperm quality and early embryo development'
Romero-Aguirregomezcorta, J;Laguna-Barraza, R;Fernandez-Gonzalez, R;Stiavnicka, M;Ward, F;Cloherty, J;McAuliffe, D;Larsen, PB;Grabrucker, AM;Gutierrez-Adan, A;Newport, D;Fair, S (2021) 'Sperm selection by rheotaxis improves sperm quality and early embryo development'. Reproduction, 161 :343-352 [DOI] [ULIR Link] [Details]
2021 'Comprehensive functional analysis reveals that acrosome integrity and viability are key variables distinguishing artificial insemination bulls of varying fertility'
Bernecic, NC;Donnellan, E;O'Callaghan, E;Kupisiewicz, K;O'Meara, C;Weldon, K;Lonergan, P;Kenny, DA;Fair, S (2021) 'Comprehensive functional analysis reveals that acrosome integrity and viability are key variables distinguishing artificial insemination bulls of varying fertility'. Journal Of Dairy Science, 104 :11226-11241 [DOI] [Details]
2021 'Sire contribution to fertilization failure and early embryo survival in cattle'
O'Callaghan, E;Sanchez, JM;McDonald, M;Kelly, AK;Hamdi, M;Maicas, C;Fair, S;Kenny, DA;Lonergan, P (2021) 'Sire contribution to fertilization failure and early embryo survival in cattle'. Journal Of Dairy Science, 104 :7262-7271 [DOI] [Details]
2021 'A comparison of farm labour, profitability, and carbon footprint of different management strategies in Northern European grassland sheep systems'
Morgan-Davies, C;Kyle, J;Boman, IA;Wishart, H;McLaren, A;Fair, S;Creighton, P (2021) 'A comparison of farm labour, profitability, and carbon footprint of different management strategies in Northern European grassland sheep systems'. Agricultural Systems, 191 [DOI] [Details]
2021 'Ewe breed differences in cervical anatomy and cervicovaginal mucus properties: An international study'
Abril-Parreño L;Krogenæs AK;Byrne CJ;Donovan A;Stuen S;Caldas E;Diskin M;Druart X;Fair S; (2021) 'Ewe breed differences in cervical anatomy and cervicovaginal mucus properties: An international study'. Theriogenology, 160 [DOI] [ULIR Link] [Details]
2021 'Conserved and breed-specific differences in the cervical transcriptome of sheep with divergent fertility at the follicular phase of a natural oestrus cycle'
Abril-Parreno, L;Meade, KG;Krogenaes, AK;Druart, X;Fair, S;Cormican, P (2021) 'Conserved and breed-specific differences in the cervical transcriptome of sheep with divergent fertility at the follicular phase of a natural oestrus cycle'. Bmc Genomics, 22 [DOI] [Details]
2021 'Comparison of the uterine inflammatory response to frozen-thawed sperm from high and low fertility bulls'
Donnellan, EM;O'Brien, MB;Meade, KG;Fair, S (2021) 'Comparison of the uterine inflammatory response to frozen-thawed sperm from high and low fertility bulls'. Theriogenology, 176 :26-34 [DOI] [Details]
2020 'Accelerating Onset of Puberty Through Modification of Early Life Nutrition Induces Modest but Persistent Changes in Bull Sperm DNA Methylation Profiles Post-puberty'
Perrier J.P.;Kenny D.A.;Chaulot-Talmon A.;Byrne C.J.;Sellem E.;Jouneau L.;Aubert-Frambourg A.;Schibler L.;Jammes H.;Lonergan P.;Fair S.;Kiefer H. (2020) 'Accelerating Onset of Puberty Through Modification of Early Life Nutrition Induces Modest but Persistent Changes in Bull Sperm DNA Methylation Profiles Post-puberty'. Frontiers In Genetics, 11 [DOI] [ULIR Link] [Details]
2019 'In vitro addition of DHA and IGF-I increases the progressive motility of cryopreserved stallion semen'
Silva, DM;Holden, SA;de Souza, JC;Fair, S (2019) 'In vitro addition of DHA and IGF-I increases the progressive motility of cryopreserved stallion semen'. Revista Agrogeoambiental, 11 :127-138 [DOI] [Details]
2012 'Effect of exposing rams to a female stimulus before semen collection on ram libido and semen quality'
Fahey A.;Duffy P.;Fair S. (2012) 'Effect of exposing rams to a female stimulus before semen collection on ram libido and semen quality'. Animal Science Journal, 90 (10):3451-3456 [DOI] [Details]
2019 'High imputation accuracy from informative low-to-medium density single nucleotide polymorphism genotypes is achievable in sheep'
O'Brien A.;Judge M.;Fair S.;Berry D. (2019) 'High imputation accuracy from informative low-to-medium density single nucleotide polymorphism genotypes is achievable in sheep'. Animal Science Journal, 97 (4):1550-1567 [DOI] [ULIR Link] [Details]
2019 'Cervical mucus sialic acid content determines the ability of frozen-thawed ram sperm to migrate through the cervix'
Richardson, L;Hanrahan, JP;Tharmalingam, T;Carrington, SD;Lonergan, P;Evans, ACO;Fair, S (2019) 'Cervical mucus sialic acid content determines the ability of frozen-thawed ram sperm to migrate through the cervix'. Reproduction, 157 :259-271 [DOI] [ULIR Link] [Details]
2019 'Population structure and breed composition prediction in a multi-breed sheep population using genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphism genotypes'
O'Brien A.;Purfield D.;Judge M.;Long C.;Fair S.;Berry D. (2019) 'Population structure and breed composition prediction in a multi-breed sheep population using genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphism genotypes'. Animal, [DOI] [Details]
2019 'Prepubertal nutrition alters Leydig cell functional capacity and timing of puberty'
Anand-Ivell R.;Byrne C.;Arnecke J.;Fair S.;Lonergan P.;Kenny D.;Ivell R. (2019) 'Prepubertal nutrition alters Leydig cell functional capacity and timing of puberty'. Plos One, 14 (11) [DOI] [ULIR Link] [Details]
2019 'Progesterone induces the release of bull spermatozoa from oviductal epithelial cells'
Romero-Aguirregomezcorta J.;Cronin S.;Donnellan E.;Fair S. (2019) 'Progesterone induces the release of bull spermatozoa from oviductal epithelial cells'. Reproduction Fertility And Development, [DOI] [ULIR Link] [Details]
2018 'Removal of sialic acid from bull sperm decreases motility and mucus penetration ability but increases zona pellucida binding and polyspermic penetration in vitro'
Fernandez-Fuertes, B;Blanco-Fernandez, A;Reid, CJ;Meade, KG;Fair, S;Lonergan, P (2018) 'Removal of sialic acid from bull sperm decreases motility and mucus penetration ability but increases zona pellucida binding and polyspermic penetration in vitro'. Reproduction, 155 :481-492 [DOI] [Details]
2018 'Hyperactivated stallion spermatozoa fail to exhibit a rheotaxis-like behaviour, unlike other species'
Romero-Aguirregomezcorta, J;Sugrue, E;Martinez-Fresneda, L;Newport, D;Fair, S (2018) 'Hyperactivated stallion spermatozoa fail to exhibit a rheotaxis-like behaviour, unlike other species'. Scientific Reports, 8 [DOI] [ULIR Link] [Details]
2015 'Altering ewe nutrition in late gestation: II. The impact on fetal development and offspring performance'
McGovern F.;Campion F.;Sweeney T.;Fair S.;Lott S.;Boland T. (2015) 'Altering ewe nutrition in late gestation: II. The impact on fetal development and offspring performance'. Animal Science Journal, 93 (10):4873-4882 [DOI] [Details]
2013 'Reducing sperm concentration is critical to limiting the oxidative stress challenge in liquid bull semen'
Murphy C.;Fahey A.;Shafat A.;Fair S. (2013) 'Reducing sperm concentration is critical to limiting the oxidative stress challenge in liquid bull semen'. Journal Of Dairy Science, 96 (7):4447-4454 [DOI] [Details]
2018 'Mesenchymal stem cell mechanotransduction is cAMP dependent and regulated by adenylyl cyclase 6 and the primary cilium'
Johnson, GP;Stavenschi, E;Eichholz, KF;Corrigan, MA;Fair, S;Hoey, DA (2018) 'Mesenchymal stem cell mechanotransduction is cAMP dependent and regulated by adenylyl cyclase 6 and the primary cilium'. Journal Of Cell Science, 131 [DOI] [ULIR Link] [Details]
2018 'Plane of nutrition before and after 6 months of age in Holstein-Friesian bulls: II. Effects on metabolic and reproductive endocrinology and identification of physiological markers of puberty and sexual maturation'
Byrne, CJ;Fair, S;English, AM;Urh, C;Sauerwein, H;Crowe, MA;Lonergan, P;Kenny, DA (2018) 'Plane of nutrition before and after 6 months of age in Holstein-Friesian bulls: II. Effects on metabolic and reproductive endocrinology and identification of physiological markers of puberty and sexual maturation'. Journal Of Dairy Science, 101 :3460-3475 [DOI] [Details]
2018 'Comparison of plant- and egg yolk-based semen diluents on in vitro sperm kinematics and in vivo fertility of frozen-thawed bull semen'
Murphy, EM,O'Meara, C,Eivers, B,Lonergan, P,Fair, S (2018) 'Comparison of plant- and egg yolk-based semen diluents on in vitro sperm kinematics and in vivo fertility of frozen-thawed bull semen'. Animal Reproduction Science, 191 :70-75 [DOI] [ULIR Link] [Details]
2018 'Effect of early calf-hood nutrition on the transcriptomic profile of subcutaneous adipose tissue in Holstein-Friesian bulls'
English, AM;Waters, SM;Cormican, P;Byrne, CJ;Fair, S;Kenny, DA (2018) 'Effect of early calf-hood nutrition on the transcriptomic profile of subcutaneous adipose tissue in Holstein-Friesian bulls'. Bmc Genomics, 19 [DOI] [ULIR Link] [Details]
2018 'Optimizing storage temperature of liquid bovine semen diluted in INRA96'
Murphy, EM;O'Meara, C;Eivers, B;Lonergan, P;Fair, S (2018) 'Optimizing storage temperature of liquid bovine semen diluted in INRA96'. Journal Of Dairy Science, 101 :5549-5558 [DOI] [ULIR Link] [Details]
2018 'Role of early life nutrition on regulating the hypothalamic-anterior pituitary-testicular axis of the bull'
English, AM;Kenny, DA;Byrne, CJ;Sauerwein, H;Urh, C;Crowe, MA;Staub, C;Waters, SM;Fair, S (2018) 'Role of early life nutrition on regulating the hypothalamic-anterior pituitary-testicular axis of the bull'. Reproduction, 156 :283-297 [DOI] [Details]
2018 'Plane of nutrition before and after 6 months of age in Holstein-Friesian bulls: I. Effects on performance, body composition, age at puberty, and postpubertal semen production'
Byrne, CJ;Fair, S;English, AM;Cirot, M;Staub, C;Lonergan, P;Kenny, DA (2018) 'Plane of nutrition before and after 6 months of age in Holstein-Friesian bulls: I. Effects on performance, body composition, age at puberty, and postpubertal semen production'. Journal Of Dairy Science, 101 :3447-3459 [DOI] [Details]
2018 'Recombinant beta-defensin 126 promotes bull sperm binding t o bovine oviductal epithelia'
Lyons, A;Narciandi, F;Donnellan, E;Romero-Aguirregomezcorta, J;O'Farrelly, C;Lonergan, P;Meade, KG;Fair, S (2018) 'Recombinant beta-defensin 126 promotes bull sperm binding t o bovine oviductal epithelia'. Reproduction Fertility And Development, 30 :1472-1481 [DOI] [ULIR Link] [Details]
2018 'Effect of Early Calf-Hood Nutrition on the Transcriptional Regulation of the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Testicular axis in Holstein-Friesian Bull Calves'
English, AM;Byrne, CJ;Cormican, P;Waters, SM;Fair, S;Kenny, DA (2018) 'Effect of Early Calf-Hood Nutrition on the Transcriptional Regulation of the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Testicular axis in Holstein-Friesian Bull Calves'. Scientific Reports, 8 [DOI] [ULIR Link] [Details]
2018 'Influence of bull age, ejaculate number, and season of collection on semen production and sperm motility parameters in Holstein Friesian bulls in a commercial artificial insemination centre'
Murphy, EM;Kelly, AK;O'Meara, C;Eivers, B;Lonergan, P;Fair, S (2018) 'Influence of bull age, ejaculate number, and season of collection on semen production and sperm motility parameters in Holstein Friesian bulls in a commercial artificial insemination centre'. Animal Science Journal, 96 :2408-2418 [DOI] [ULIR Link] [Details]
2018 'Effect of storage temperature, nitrogen gassing and sperm concentration on the in vitro semen quality and in vivo fertility of liquid bull semen stored in INRA96'
Murphy, EM,Eivers, B,O'Meara, CM,Lonergan, P,Fair, S (2018) 'Effect of storage temperature, nitrogen gassing and sperm concentration on the in vitro semen quality and in vivo fertility of liquid bull semen stored in INRA96'. Theriogenology, 108 :223-228 [DOI] [ULIR Link] [Details]
2018 'Effect of increasing equilibration time of diluted bull semen up to 72 h prior to freezing on sperm quality parameters and calving rate following artificial insemination'
Murphy, EM,Eivers, B,O'Meara, CM,Lonergan, P,Fair, S (2018) 'Effect of increasing equilibration time of diluted bull semen up to 72 h prior to freezing on sperm quality parameters and calving rate following artificial insemination'. Theriogenology, 108 :217-222 [DOI] [ULIR Link] [Details]
2017 'In vitro addition of docosahexaenoic acid improves the quality of cooled but not frozen-thawed stallion semen'
Silva, DM,Holden, SA,Lyons, A,Souza, JC,Fair, S (2017) 'In vitro addition of docosahexaenoic acid improves the quality of cooled but not frozen-thawed stallion semen'. Reproduction Fertility And Development, 29 :2021-2027 [DOI] [Details]
2017 'Effect of milk replacer and concentrate intake on growth rate, feeding behaviour and systemic metabolite concentrations of pre-weaned bull calves of two dairy breeds'
Byrne, CJ,Fair, S,English, AM,Johnston, D,Lonergan, P,Kenny, DA (2017) 'Effect of milk replacer and concentrate intake on growth rate, feeding behaviour and systemic metabolite concentrations of pre-weaned bull calves of two dairy breeds'. Animal, 11 :1531-1538 [DOI] [ULIR Link] [Details]
2017 'In vitro characterisation of fresh and frozen sex-sorted bull spermatozoa'
Holden, SA,Murphy, C,Moreno, JF,Butler, ST,Cromie, AR,Lonergan, P,Fair, S (2017) 'In vitro characterisation of fresh and frozen sex-sorted bull spermatozoa'. Reproduction Fertility And Development, 29 :1415-1425 [DOI] [ULIR Link] [Details]
2017 'Effect of breed, plane of nutrition and age on growth, scrotal development, metabolite concentrations and on systemic gonadotropin and testosterone concentrations following a GnRH challenge in young dairy bulls'
Byrne, CJ,Fair, S,English, AM,Urh, C,Sauerwein, H,Crowe, MA,Lonergan, P,Kenny, DA (2017) 'Effect of breed, plane of nutrition and age on growth, scrotal development, metabolite concentrations and on systemic gonadotropin and testosterone concentrations following a GnRH challenge in young dairy bulls'. Theriogenology, 96 :58-68 [DOI] [ULIR Link] [Details]
2017 'Genetic parameters for lameness, mastitis and dagginess in a multi-breed sheep population'
O'Brien, AC,McHugh, N,Wall, E,Pabiou, T,McDermott, K,Randles, S,Fair, S,Berry, DP (2017) 'Genetic parameters for lameness, mastitis and dagginess in a multi-breed sheep population'. Animal, 11 :911-919 [DOI] [Details]
2017 'Comparative genomic identification and validation of beta-defensin genes in the Ovis aries genome'
Hall, TJ,McQuillan, C,Finlay, EK,O'Farrelly, C,Fair, S,Meade, KG (2017) 'Comparative genomic identification and validation of beta-defensin genes in the Ovis aries genome'. Bmc Genomics, 18 [DOI] [ULIR Link] [Details]
2017 'The effect of dietary supplementation of algae rich in docosahexaenoic acid on boar fertility'
Murphy, EM,Stanton, C,O'Brien, C,Murphy, C,Holden, S,Murphy, RP,Varley, P,Boland, MP,Fair, S (2017) 'The effect of dietary supplementation of algae rich in docosahexaenoic acid on boar fertility'. Theriogenology, 90 :78-87 [DOI] [ULIR Link] [Details]
2017 'Dietary polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation of young post-pubertal dairy bulls alters the fatty acid composition of seminal plasma and spermatozoa but has no effect on semen volume or sperm quality'
Byrne, CJ,Fair, S,English, AM,Holden, SA,Dick, JR,Lonergan, P,Kenny, DA (2017) 'Dietary polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation of young post-pubertal dairy bulls alters the fatty acid composition of seminal plasma and spermatozoa but has no effect on semen volume or sperm quality'. Theriogenology, 90 :289-300 [DOI] [ULIR Link] [Details]
2017 'A comparison of semen diluents on the in vitro and in vivo fertility of liquid bull semen'
Murphy, EM,Murphy, C,O'Meara, C,Dunne, G,Eivers, B,Lonergan, P,Fair, S (2017) 'A comparison of semen diluents on the in vitro and in vivo fertility of liquid bull semen'. Journal Of Dairy Science, 100 :1541-1554 [DOI] [ULIR Link] [Details]
2017 'Relationship between in vitro sperm functional assessments, seminal plasma composition, and field fertility after AI with either non-sorted or sex-sorted bull semen'
Holden, SA,Fernandez-Fuertes, B,Murphy, C,Whelan, H,O'Gorman, A,Brennan, L,Butler, ST,Lonergan, P,Fair, S (2017) 'Relationship between in vitro sperm functional assessments, seminal plasma composition, and field fertility after AI with either non-sorted or sex-sorted bull semen'. Theriogenology, 87 :221-228 [DOI] [ULIR Link] [Details]
2017 'The in vitro addition of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) improves the quality of cooled but not frozen-thawed stallion semen'
DM Silva, SA Holden, A Lyons, JC Souza, S Fair (2017) 'The in vitro addition of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) improves the quality of cooled but not frozen-thawed stallion semen'. Reproduction Fertility And Development, [ULIR Link] [Details]
2017 'A dual targeted beta-defensin and exome sequencing approach to identify, validate and functionally characterise genes associated with bull fertility'
Whiston, R,Finlay, EK,McCabe, MS,Cormican, P,Flynn, P,Cromie, A,Hansen, PJ,Lyons, A,Fair, S,Lonergan, P,O' Farrelly, C,Meade, KG (2017) 'A dual targeted beta-defensin and exome sequencing approach to identify, validate and functionally characterise genes associated with bull fertility'. Scientific Reports, 7 [DOI] [ULIR Link] [Details]
2017 'Genomic identification, expression profiling, and functional characterization of CatSper channels in the bovine'
Johnson, GP,English, AM,Cronin, S,Hoey, DA,Meade, KG,Fair, S (2017) 'Genomic identification, expression profiling, and functional characterization of CatSper channels in the bovine'. Biology Of Reproduction, 97 :302-312 [DOI] [ULIR Link] [Details]
2017 'Effect of seminal plasma from high- and low-fertility bulls on cauda epididymal sperm function'
Holden, SA,Fernandez-Fuertes, B,Murphy, EM,Lonergan, P,Fair, S (2017) 'Effect of seminal plasma from high- and low-fertility bulls on cauda epididymal sperm function'. Reproduction Fertility And Development, 29 :2457-2465 [DOI] [ULIR Link] [Details]
2016 'Comparative genomic identification and expression profiling of a novel -defensin gene cluster in the equine reproductive tract'
Johnson, GP,Lloyd, AT,O'Farrelly, C,Meade, KG,Fair, S (2016) 'Comparative genomic identification and expression profiling of a novel -defensin gene cluster in the equine reproductive tract'. Reproduction Fertility And Development, 28 :1499-1508 [DOI] [ULIR Link] [Details]
2016 'Sperm-Coating Beta-Defensin 126 Is a Dissociation-Resistant Dimer Produced by Epididymal Epithelium in the Bovine Reproductive Tract'
Narciandi, F,Fernandez-Fuertes, B,Khairulzaman, I,Jahns, H,King, D,Finlay, EK,Mok, KH,Fair, S,Lonergan, P,Farrelly, CO,Meade, KG (2016) 'Sperm-Coating Beta-Defensin 126 Is a Dissociation-Resistant Dimer Produced by Epididymal Epithelium in the Bovine Reproductive Tract'. Biology Of Reproduction, 95 [DOI] [Details]
2016 'Cauda Epididymis-Specific Beta-Defensin 126 Promotes Sperm Motility but Not Fertilizing Ability in Cattle'
Fernandez-Fuertes, B,Narciandi, F,O'Farrelly, C,Kelly, AK,Fair, S,Meade, KG,Lonergan, P (2016) 'Cauda Epididymis-Specific Beta-Defensin 126 Promotes Sperm Motility but Not Fertilizing Ability in Cattle'. Biology Of Reproduction, 95 [DOI] [Details]
2016 'The impact of storage temperature and sperm number on the fertility of liquid-stored bull semen'
Murphy, C,Holden, SA,Murphy, EM,Cromie, AR,Lonergan, P,Fair, S (2016) 'The impact of storage temperature and sperm number on the fertility of liquid-stored bull semen'. Reproduction Fertility And Development, 28 :1349-1359 [DOI] [Details]
2015 'Altering ewe nutrition in late gestation: II. The impact on fetal development and offspring performance'
McGovern, FM,Campion, FP,Sweeney, T,Fair, S,Lott, S,Boland, TM (2015) 'Altering ewe nutrition in late gestation: II. The impact on fetal development and offspring performance'. Journal Of Animal Science, 93 :4873-4882 [DOI] [ULIR Link] [Details]
2014 'The effect of dietary n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids supplementation of rams on semen quality and subsequent quality of liquid stored semen'
Fair, S,Doyle, DN,Diskin, MG,Hennessy, AA,Kenny, DA (2014) 'The effect of dietary n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids supplementation of rams on semen quality and subsequent quality of liquid stored semen'. Theriogenology, 81 :210-219 [DOI] [ULIR Link] [Details]
2014 'Cholesterol-loaded-cyclodextrins improve the post-thaw quality of stallion sperm'
Murphy, C,English, AM,Holden, SA,Fair, S (2014) 'Cholesterol-loaded-cyclodextrins improve the post-thaw quality of stallion sperm'. Animal Reproduction Science, 145 :123-129 [DOI] [Details]
2013 'Reducing sperm concentration is critical to limiting the oxidative stress challenge in liquid bull semen'
Murphy, C,Fahey, AG,Shafat, A,Fair, S (2013) 'Reducing sperm concentration is critical to limiting the oxidative stress challenge in liquid bull semen'. Journal Of Dairy Science, 96 :4447-4454 [DOI] [Details]
2013 'The effect of the in vitro supplementation of exogenous long-chain fatty acids on bovine sperm cell function'
Kiernan, M,Fahey, AG,Fair, S (2013) 'The effect of the in vitro supplementation of exogenous long-chain fatty acids on bovine sperm cell function'. Reproduction Fertility And Development, 25 :947-954 [DOI] [ULIR Link] [Details]
2012 'Effect of exposing rams to a female stimulus before semen collection on ram libido and semen quality'
Fahey, AG,Duffy, P,Fair, S (2012) 'Effect of exposing rams to a female stimulus before semen collection on ram libido and semen quality'. Journal Of Animal Science, 90 :3451-3456 [DOI] [ULIR Link] [Details]
2012 'Effect of site of deposition on the fertility of sheep inseminated with frozen-thawed semen'
Richardson, L,Hanrahan, JP,Donovan, A,Marti, JI,Fair, S,Evans, ACO,Lonergan, P (2012) 'Effect of site of deposition on the fertility of sheep inseminated with frozen-thawed semen'. Animal Reproduction Science, 131 :160-164 [DOI] [Details]
2011 'In vitro assessment of sperm from bulls of high and low field fertility'
Al Naib, A; Hanrahan, JP; Lonergan, P; Fair, S (2011) 'In vitro assessment of sperm from bulls of high and low field fertility'. Theriogenology, 76 :161-167 [DOI] [ULIR Link] [Details]
2011 'Ewe breed differences in fertility after cervical AI with frozen-thawed semen and associated differences in sperm penetration and physicochemical properties of cervical mucus'
Richardson, L; Hanrahan, JP; O'Hara, L; Donovan, A; Fair, S; O'Sullivan, M; Carrington, SD; Lonergan, P; Evans, ACO (2011) 'Ewe breed differences in fertility after cervical AI with frozen-thawed semen and associated differences in sperm penetration and physicochemical properties of cervical mucus'. Animal Reproduction Science, 129 :37-43 [DOI] [Details]
2010 'Effect of storage duration, storage temperature, and diluent on the viability and fertility of fresh ram sperm'
O'Hara L, Hanrahan JP, Richardson L, Donovan A, Fair S, Evans AC, Lonergan P (2010) 'Effect of storage duration, storage temperature, and diluent on the viability and fertility of fresh ram sperm'. Theriogenology, 73 (4):541-549 [DOI] [Details]
2008 'Relationship between in vitro sperm functional tests and in vivo fertility of rams following cervical artificial insemination of ewes with frozen-thawed semen'
O' Meara CM, Hanrahan JP, Prathalingam NS, Owen JS, Donovan A, Fair S, Ward F, Wade M, Evans AC, Lonergan P (2008) 'Relationship between in vitro sperm functional tests and in vivo fertility of rams following cervical artificial insemination of ewes with frozen-thawed semen'. Theriogenology, 69 (4):513-522 [DOI] [Details]
2007 'Development and quality of sheep embryos cultured in commercial G1.3/G2.3 sequential media'
Garcia-Garcia RM, Ward F, Fair S, O'Meara CM, Wade M, Duffy P, Lonergan P (2007) 'Development and quality of sheep embryos cultured in commercial G1.3/G2.3 sequential media'. Animal Reproduction Science, 98 (3-4):233-240 [DOI] [Details]
2007 'Hormonal relationships during the periovulatory period among ewe breeds known to differ in fertility after cervical artificial insemination with frozen thawed semen'
Fair S, Hanrahan JP, Donovan A, Duffy P, O'Meara CM, Lonergan P, Evans AC (2007) 'Hormonal relationships during the periovulatory period among ewe breeds known to differ in fertility after cervical artificial insemination with frozen thawed semen'. Animal Reproduction Science, 97 (3-4):284-294 [DOI] [Details]
2007 'Resuspending ram spermatozoa in seminal plasma after cryopreservation does not improve pregnancy rate in cervically inseminated ewes'
O'Meara CM, Donovan A, Hanrahan JP, Duffy P, Fair S, Evans AC, Lonergan P (2007) 'Resuspending ram spermatozoa in seminal plasma after cryopreservation does not improve pregnancy rate in cervically inseminated ewes'. Theriogenology, 67 (7):1262-1268 [DOI] [Details]
2006 'The difference in embryo quality between Belclare and Suffolk ewes is not due to differences in oocyte quality'
Fair S, Hanrahan JP, Ward F, O'Meara CM, Duffy P, Donovan A, Lonergan P, Evans AC (2006) 'The difference in embryo quality between Belclare and Suffolk ewes is not due to differences in oocyte quality'. Theriogenology, 66 (2):191-197 [DOI] [Details]
2005 'Differences between Belclare and Suffolk ewes in fertilization rate, embryo quality and accessory sperm number after cervical or laparoscopic artificial insemination'
Fair S, Hanrahan JP, O'Meara CM, Duffy P, Rizos D, Wade M, Donovan A, Boland MP, Lonergan P, Evans AC (2005) 'Differences between Belclare and Suffolk ewes in fertilization rate, embryo quality and accessory sperm number after cervical or laparoscopic artificial insemination'. Theriogenology, 63 (7):1995-2005 [DOI] [Details]
2005 'Relationship between in vitro fertilisation of ewe oocytes and the fertility of ewes following cervical artificial insemination with frozen-thawed ram semen'
O'Meara CM, Hanrahan JP, Donovan A, Fair S, Rizos D, Wade M, Boland MP, Evans AC, Lonergan P (2005) 'Relationship between in vitro fertilisation of ewe oocytes and the fertility of ewes following cervical artificial insemination with frozen-thawed ram semen'. Theriogenology, 64 (8):1797-1808 [DOI] [Details]

Conference Publications

  Year Publication
2016 World Buiatrics Congress
T Hall, C McQuillan, E Finlay, S Fair, C O’Farrelly, KG Meade (2016) Comparative genomic identification of β-defensin genes in the Ovis aries genome World Buiatrics Congress [Details]
2016 18th International Congress on Animal Reproduction
C Byrne, AM English, S Fair, P Lonergan, DA Kenny (2016) Effect of plane of nutrition during the first and second six months of life on age at puberty and subsequent semen production in Holstein Friesian bulls 18th International Congress on Animal Reproduction [Details]

Reviews

  Year Publication
2019 The biological mechanisms regulating sperm selection by the ovine cervix.
Fair S.;Meade K.;Reynaud K.;Druart X.;De Graaf S. (2019) The biological mechanisms regulating sperm selection by the ovine cervix. Reviews [DOI] [Details]
2019 Implications of boar sperm kinematics and rheotaxis for fertility after preservation.
Fair S.;Romero-Aguirregomezcorta J. (2019) Implications of boar sperm kinematics and rheotaxis for fertility after preservation. Reviews [DOI] [Details]
2018 Review: Understanding the causes of variation in reproductive wastage among bulls.
Fair S.;Lonergan P. (2018) Review: Understanding the causes of variation in reproductive wastage among bulls. Reviews [DOI] [Details]

Professional Associations

  Association Function From / To
British Society of Animal Science Member /
International Congress on Animal Reproduction Vice President 01-JUL-22 /
Agricultural Science Association Member /
European Society for Domestic Animal Reproduction Member /

Committees

  Committee Function From / To
Chairman of University of Limerick Animal Welfare Body Chairman 2015 / 2019
International Congress on Animal Reproduction Standing Committee Member 2022 /
British Society for Animal Science; International Bull Fertility Conference 2018 Organising committee 2017 /
Director of Sheep Ireland Director 2013 / 2020
Director of Association of Applied Animal Andrology Director 2016 / 2020
Chairman of University of Limerick Animal Research Ethics Committee Chairman 2013 /

Employment

  Employer Position From / To
National University of Ireland Galway Lecturer 02-APR-07 / 30-OCT-09

Education

  Year Institution Qualification Subject
2016 University of Limerick Postgraduate Diploma Specialist Diploma in Teaching and Learning
2006 UCD PhD Reproductive Physiology
2002 UCD B.Agr.Sc. Agriculture

Other Activities

  Description

Journal ad hoc Reviewer:
Reproduction Fertility and Development
Theriogenology
Journal of Dairy Science
Animal Reproduction Science
Reproduction in Domestic Animals
Reproductive Biology
Biology of Reproduciton
Reproduction
Animal
Annals of Animal Science
System Biology in Reproductive Medicine
Nutrition Journal
Systems Biology in Reproductive Medicine
Open Veterinary Journal
Veterinary Record
BMC Genomics
BMC Veterinary Research


Professor Fair is a section editor for the nature journal Scientific Reports. 2019 - Present.

Teaching Interests

Current Postgraduate Students:                                                                  
Nathan Johnston (PhD) - Lead Academic Supervisor
Kaitlyn Weldon (PhD) -Lead Academic Supervisor
Stephen Coen (PhD) - Co supervisor
Elena O'Callaghan (PhD) - Co supervisor

Research Fellows and Postdoctoral Researchers:                                                             
Dr Miriam Stiavnicka

Recently Graduated Postgraduate Students:   
Dr Eimear Donnellan (PhD) - Lead Academic Supervisor
Dr Laura Abril Parreño (PhD) - Lead Academic Supervisor
Patrick Taaffe (Research Masters) - Lead Academic Supervisor       
Dr Aine O'Brien (PhD) - Lead Academic Supervisor
Dr Gillian Johnson (PhD) – Co supervisor                                                                      
Emer Sugrue - (Research Masters) - Lead Academic supervisor      
Dr Shauna Holden (PhD) - Lead Academic Supervisor
Dr Colin Byrne (PhD) – Co Supervisor
Alan Lyons (Research Masters) - Lead Academic Supervisor
Dr Beatriz Fernandez (PhD) – Co supervisor            
Dr Daiane Moreira Silva (PhD) - Co-Supervisor
Dr Craig Murphy (PhD) - Lead Academic Supervisor
Dr Miranda Kiernan (Research Masters) - Lead Academic Supervisor    

Recent Research Fellows and Postdoctoral Researchers:                           
Dr Laura Abril Parreño
Dr Eoin White
Dr Kevin O'Sullivan         
Dr Jean-Philippe Perrier  
Dr Naomi Bernecic
Dr Colin Byrne
Dr Bo Mangan
Dr Jon Romero-Aguirregomezcorta 
Dr Lucia Martinez Fresneda
Dr Jennifer Costello
Dr Adrian Lynch                                                             

Modules Taught

  Term (ID)) Title Link Subject
Sem II Human Physiology BY4204
Sem II Agricultural Biotechnology BY4036Agri biotechnology to final year undergraduate Science Education students
Sem II Equine Physiology EV4013
Sem II Biology II BY4002
Sem II Advanced Equine Physiology EQ4068