Reproductive Tract Microbial Transitions from Late Gestation to Early Postpartum Using 16S rRNA Metagenetic Profiling in First-Pregnancy Heifers.

ABSTRACT: Studies in recent years indicate that reproductive tract microbial communities are crucial for shaping mammals' health and reproductive outcomes. Following parturition, uterine bacterial contamination often occurs due to the open cervix, which may lead to postpartum uterine inflammatory diseases, especially in primiparous individuals. However, investigations into spatio-temporal microbial transitions in the reproductive tract of primigravid females remain limited. Our objective was to describe and compare the microbial community compositions in the vagina at late gestation and in the vagina and uterus at early postpartum in first-pregnancy heifers. Three swab samples were collected from 33 first-pregnancy Holstein Friesian heifers: one vaginal sample at gestation day 258 ± 4, and vaginal a

SUBMITTER: Druker S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11394886 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature