Temporal changes in ewe vaginal microbiota throughout gestation.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Numerous factors are known to influence reproductive efficiency in ewes, but few studies have investigated the potential role of vaginal microbiota in sheep reproductive success. The objective of this study was to thoroughly characterize the ewe vaginal microbiota throughout the course of pregnancy.

Methods

Vaginal samples were collected from 31 pregnant Hampshire and Hampshire X Suffolk crossbred ewes on a weekly basis from pre-breeding to pregnancy testing and then biweekly until just after lambing. To characterize the vaginal microbial communities, DNA was extracted and 16S rRNA gene Illumina MiSeq amplicon sequencing was performed.

Results and discussion

Alpha diversity metrics indicated an increase in species richness, evenness, and overall diversity

SUBMITTER: Cassas MS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10901984 | biostudies-literature | 2024

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature