biostudies-literatureUnknown16(1)Rota A<h4>Background</h4>Surgical sterilization is the most effective method of contraception for dogs. It also prevents pyometra and reduces the risk of mammary tumour development. However, this procedure also has negative effects, such as urinary incontinence. Steroid hormone deprivation following gonadectomy could also affect canine vaginal mucosa conditions and the microbial community colonizing the vaginal tract. This hypothesis was tested by comparing the vaginal cytology and microbial community of two groups of bitches, including 11 in anoestrus and 10 sterilized bitches (post-pubertal sterilization in the last 4 years). Bacteria were identified through metataxonomic analysis, amplifying the V3-V4 regions of 16S rRNA gene, and culturing methods.<h4>Results</h4>Vaginal mucosa cytology was BMC veterinary research455https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC7684734biostudies-literatureEffect of sterilization on the canine vaginal microbiota: a pilot study.PMC7684734Milani CMasia SLosasso CRota APetrin SLongo ACorro MMastrorilli EDel Carro APatuzzi IfalseEffect of sterilization on the canine vaginal microbiota: a pilot study.<h4>Background</h4>Surgical sterilization is the most effective method of contraception for dogs. It also prevents pyometra and reduces the risk of mammary tumour development. However, this procedure also has negative effects, such as urinary incontinence. Steroid hormone deprivation following gonadectomy could also affect canine vaginal mucosa conditions and the microbial community colonizing the vaginal tract. This hypothesis was tested by comparing the vaginal cytology and microbial community of two groups of bitches, including 11 in anoestrus and 10 sterilized bitches (post-pubertal sterilization in the last 4 years). Bacteria were identified through metataxonomic analysis, amplifying the V3-V4 regions of 16S rRNA gene, and culturing methods.<h4>Results</h4>Vaginal mucosa cytology was 2020-01-01T00:00:00Z2020 Nov2025-04-26T04:23:49.215Z2021-02-20T00:25:05ZS-EPMC76847343322864610.1186/s12917-020-02670-3