Dr. Sean Fair

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
In Frontiers In Genetics;
DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2020.00945
[ULIR]

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
In Animal;
DOI: 10.1017/S1751731119002398

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
In Animal Science Journal; pp. 1550-1567
DOI: 10.1093/jas/skz043
[ULIR]

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
In Reproduction Fertility And Development;
DOI: 10.1071/RD18316
[ULIR]

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
In Plos One;
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0225465
[ULIR]

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
In Reproduction; BRISTOL : BIOSCIENTIFICA LTD pp. 259-271
DOI: 10.1530/REP-18-0547
[ULIR]

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
In Animal Reproduction Science; pp. 70-75
DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2018.02.010
[ULIR]

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
In Scientific Reports; LONDON : NATURE PUBLISHING GROUP
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-34973-9
[ULIR]

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
In Reproduction; BRISTOL : BIOSCIENTIFICA LTD pp. 283-297
DOI: 10.1530/REP-17-0671

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
In Journal Of Dairy Science; NEW YORK : ELSEVIER SCIENCE INC pp. 3447-3459
DOI: 10.3168/jds.2017-13719

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
In Bmc Genomics; LONDON : BIOMED CENTRAL LTD
DOI: 10.1186/s12864-018-4681-2
[ULIR]

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
In Journal Of Dairy Science; NEW YORK : ELSEVIER SCIENCE INC pp. 5549-5558
DOI: 10.3168/jds.2017-14205
[ULIR]

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
In Journal Of Cell Science; CAMBRIDGE : COMPANY BIOLOGISTS LTD
DOI: 10.1242/jcs.222737
[ULIR]

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
In Theriogenology; pp. 217-222
DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2017.11.034
[ULIR]

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
In Reproduction Fertility And Development; CLAYTON : CSIRO PUBLISHING pp. 1472-1481
DOI: 10.1071/RD17415
[ULIR]

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
In Theriogenology; pp. 223-228
DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2017.12.012
[ULIR]

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
In Animal Science Journal; CARY : OXFORD UNIV PRESS INC pp. 2408-2418
DOI: 10.1093/jas/sky130
[ULIR]

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
In Scientific Reports; LONDON : NATURE PUBLISHING GROUP
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-34611-4
[ULIR]

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
In Reproduction; BRISTOL : BIOSCIENTIFICA LTD pp. 481-492
DOI: 10.1530/REP-17-0429

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
In Journal Of Dairy Science; NEW YORK : ELSEVIER SCIENCE INC pp. 3460-3475
DOI: 10.3168/jds.2017-13720

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
In Reproduction Fertility And Development; pp. 1415-1425
DOI: 10.1071/RD16086
[ULIR]

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
In Animal; pp. 1531-1538
DOI: 10.1017/S1751731117000350
[ULIR]

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
In Theriogenology; pp. 78-87
DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2016.11.008
[ULIR]

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
In Theriogenology; pp. 221-228
DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2016.08.024
[ULIR]

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
In Scientific Reports;
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-12498-x
[ULIR]

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
In Reproduction Fertility And Development;
[ULIR]

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
In Animal; pp. 911-919
DOI: 10.1017/S1751731116002445

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
In Theriogenology; pp. 289-300
DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2016.12.014
[ULIR]

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
In Reproduction Fertility And Development; pp. 2021-2027
DOI: 10.1071/RD16473

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
In Bmc Genomics;
DOI: 10.1186/s12864-017-3666-x
[ULIR]

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
In Journal Of Dairy Science; pp. 1541-1554
DOI: 10.3168/jds.2016-11646
[ULIR]

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
In Biology Of Reproduction; pp. 302-312
DOI: 10.1093/biolre/iox082
[ULIR]

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
In Reproduction Fertility And Development; pp. 2457-2465
DOI: 10.1071/RD17136
[ULIR]

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
In Theriogenology; pp. 58-68
DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2017.04.002
[ULIR]

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
In Reproduction Fertility And Development; pp. 1499-1508
DOI: 10.1071/RD14345
[ULIR]

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
In Reproduction Fertility And Development; pp. 1349-1359
DOI: 10.1071/RD14369

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
In Biology Of Reproduction;
DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.116.138719

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
In Biology Of Reproduction;
DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.116.138792

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
In Journal Of Animal Science; pp. 4873-4882
DOI: 10.2527/jas2015-9020
[ULIR]

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
In Animal Science Journal; pp. 4873-4882
DOI: 10.2527/jas.2015-9020

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
In Animal Reproduction Science; pp. 123-129
DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2014.01.013

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
In Theriogenology; pp. 210-219
DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2013.09.002
[ULIR]

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
In Journal Of Dairy Science; pp. 4447-4454
DOI: 10.3168/jds.2012-6484

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
In Journal Of Dairy Science; pp. 4447-4454
DOI: 10.3168/jds.2012-6242

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
In Reproduction Fertility And Development; pp. 947-954
DOI: 10.1071/RD12204
[ULIR]

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
In Journal Of Animal Science; pp. 3451-3456
DOI: 10.2527/jas2011-4859
[ULIR]

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
In Animal Reproduction Science; pp. 160-164
DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2012.03.006

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
In Theriogenology; pp. 161-167
DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2010.10.038
[ULIR]

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
In Animal Reproduction Science; pp. 37-43
DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2011.10.012

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.
In Theriogenology; pp. 541-549
DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2009.10.009

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.
In Theriogenology; pp. 513-522
DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2007.12.003

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.
In Theriogenology; pp. 1262-1268
DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2007.01.012

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.
In Animal Reproduction Science; pp. 233-240
DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2006.03.007

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.
In Animal Reproduction Science; pp. 284-294
DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2006.02.006

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.
In Theriogenology; pp. 191-197
DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2005.11.001

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.
In Theriogenology; pp. 1797-1808
DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2005.04.009

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.
In Theriogenology; pp. 1995-2005
DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2004.09.005