Vaginal, cervical and uterine bacterial flora at the different stages of the reproductive cycle in ovariohysterectomized bitches

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to determine vaginal, cervical and uterine bacterial flora at the different stages of the reproductive cycle in mixed-bred bitches. Vaginal, cervical and uterine swab specimens were obtained from 55 bitches (Anoestrus = 11, Proestrus = 16, Oestrus = 13, Metoestrus = 9 and Pregnant = 6) at ovariohysterectomy. A total of 61 bacteria were isolated from vagina. These organisms include Yeast (45.4%) and E. coli (30.9%), Proteus sp. (20%), Streptococcus sp. (12.7%) and Enterococcus sp. (1.8%) have been isolated. The mean number of isolates from vagina was 1.2. High bacterial counts in the vagina were found proestrus and oestrus. The results indicated that no bacteria were isolated from the cervix and the uterus and no mycoplasmas were cultured in vagina, cervix and uterus. The uterine microflora did not reflect the vaginal and cervical microflora.