The Equine Endometrial Microbiome: A Brief Review

Abstract

Context Our purpose is to examine an alternative idea to describing the reproductive tract microbiome in the mare. Defining the reproductive tract microflora in any species including the mare lies in the need to be able to determine the physiologic state of the microbiome in healthy patients in order to develop a deeper understanding of the impact dysbiosis can have on overall health. With the background information we have, and the advancement of sequencing techniques at our disposal it may be time to challenge the veterinary dogma of a "sterile uterus" and adjust our clinical practices accordingly.