The influence of vaginal microbiota on ewe fertility: a metagenomic and functional genomic approach.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Despite advancements in artificial insemination, sheep fertility rates remain suboptimal. Recent studies in other species highlight the critical role of reproductive microbiota in influencing fertility outcomes. This research explores the relationship between ovine vaginal microbiota, associated functional pathways, and fertility using advanced nanopore long-reading metagenomic sequencing on 297 ewes from three Spanish breeds across four herds. The study aimed to describe a core vaginal microbiota, analyse the complex interactions with herd, breed, age, and parity factors, and identify taxa and genes associated with reproductive success by artificial insemination.

Results

The study identified Staphylococcus, Escherichia, and Histophilus as the most abundant genera

SUBMITTER: Reinoso-Pelaez EL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12315406 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature