Comparison of vaginal microbial community structure of beef cattle between luteal phase and follicular phase

Abstract

The aim of the current study was to evaluate the vaginal microbial community structure in beef cattle between follicular and luteal phase. Fifteen healthy beef cattle were subjected to an estrus synchronization protocol, and vaginal samples were collected in the follicular and luteal phases. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE) and real-time PCR were used to determine the vaginal community structure. The results showed that the vaginal microflora of beef cattle mainly comprised of Aerococcus vaginalis, Aerococcus viridans, Haemophilus somnus, Streptococcus pluranimalium, Psychrobacter marincola, Escherichia coli and Sphingomonas roseiflava. There was no significant difference in the total number of bacteria in the vaginas of beef cattle between the follicular and luteal phase. The quantity of vaginal Streptococcus spp. in the luteal phase was significantly higher than in the follicular phase, while the number of vaginal Lactobacillus spp. in the follicular phase was significantly higher than in the luteal phase. The results indicated that there was moderate significant difference in the structure of the vaginal microbial community in beef cattle between the luteal phase and follicular phase.