Isolation of Bacteria from the Vaginal Aspirates of Cyclic, Acyclic, Endometritic and Pregnant Crossbred Cows

Abstract

Optimum reproductive performance is essential for well managed and profitable dairy farms (Nebel and Jobst, 1998). Fertility of cow is affected by many specific and nonspecific pathogens of the genital tract. Cervical mucus discharge (CMD) is a A study was carried out on vaginal secretions/aspirates from infertile (acyclic and endometritic) crossbred cows from field and healthy cyclic as well as pregnant crossbred cows of University farm to identify the vaginal microorganisms based on routine cultural examination. The work was carried out on total 36 crossbred cows covering six each regular cyclic (proestrus, estrus, metestrus, diestrus), acyclic, endometritic and 3, 6 and 9 months pregnant animals. The samples of cervico-vaginal mucus/discharge during estrus/ endometritis, and vaginal washings during other phases of estrous cycle as well as pregnancy were collected aseptically using syringe and pipette method. The samples obtained were soon processed for cultural isolation on Blood agar and MacConkey agar, and identified using Gram’s staining and biochemical tests. Bacteria were recovered from all 54 vaginal samples (100%) of cows with different physio-pathological status. During the follicular phase of estrous cycle, the most predominant bacteria isolated were Bacillus Spp., followed by Corynebacterium Spp., Staphylococcus Spp. and Streptococcus Spp., whereas during luteal phase the most predominant bacteria were Staphylococcus Spp. followed by Corynebacterium Spp., Bacillus Spp., E. coli and Streptococcus Spp. The most predominant vaginal bacterial isolates during pregnancy in descending order were Staphylococcus Spp., Bacillus Spp., Streptococcus Spp., Klebsiella, E. coli and Pseudomonas. The vaginal aspirates of acyclic cows contained Streptococcus Spp., Bacillus Spp. and Staphylococcus Spp., Corynebacterium Spp., E. coli, and Micrococcus, whereas in endometritis the major isolates were Staphylococcus Spp., Bacillus Spp., Streptococcus Spp., E. coli, Salmonella and Corynebacterium. The findings reflected rich bacterial diversity in the vagina of crossbred cattle with varied physio-pathological conditions. K e y w o r d s