Changes in the aerobic vaginal bacterial mucous load and assessment of the susceptibility to antibiotics after treatment with intravaginal sponges in anestrous ewes

Efficacy of anti-microbial agents on vaginal microorganisms and reproductive performance of synchronized estrus ewes

“…This finding is consistent with previous reports by Carson et al [18], Gabriel Martins et al [19] and Bruno Penna et al [20]. On the other side, Suarez et al [5] recorded Gentamycin and cefazolin were the most effective compounds to prevent bacterial growth following the use of progestin impregnated intravaginal sponges in ewes. However, the concomitant use of antibiotics is often suggested to reduce the undesirable effects caused by the sponges, but this practice may induce antibiotic resistance [5,7].…”

“…were members of the normal vaginal microbes of small ruminants, so it is necessary to prevent the growth of opportunistic microorganisms such as E. coli. The concomitant use of antimicrobial is often suggested to reduce the undesirable effects caused by the sponges [5,7]. The identified strains of vaginal bacterial flora obtained in this study either as single isolate or mixed (more than one bacterial colony type) were tested for sensitivity in vitro with fourteen different antibiotics.…”

“…The presence of these sponges in the vagina for this period acts as a foreign body and constitutes a predisposing factor for vaginitis and generates changes in the vaginal environment with accumulation of purulent mucous secretion, and foul smelling fluids. This infection is often due to proliferation of the local microbiota and by secondary opportunistic Gram negative Enterobacteriaceae invaders, mainly Escherichia coli (E. coli) [1,[5][6][7]. Coliforms, as well as Gram-positive cocci, mainly Staphylococcus spp.…”

Microbiological and functional evaluation of an alternative device (OB®) for estrous synchronization in ewes

“…The increase in bacteria counts was well expected after the use of sponges (AMIM, 1996; , 2006). The concomitant use of antibiotics is often suggested to reduce the undesirable effects caused by the sponges, but this practice may induce antibiotic resistance (SUÁREZ et al, 2006;MARTINS et al, 2009). As expected, lower CFU were observed in the CIDR group, with the OB group having a bacteria pattern similar to the use of CIDRs, which indicates advantages in terms of animal welfare, in addition to a reduced propensity for the use of antibiotics along with the devices, as it occurs with sponges.…”

“…For highly valuable animals, a commercial apparatus named CIDR ® (Controlled Internal Drug Releasing device, Pfizer Inc., USA) consists of a "Y"-shaped silicon-based device loaded with progesterone for vaginal use (WHEATON et al, 1993). Due to its inherent properties and composition, the rates of device loss, adherence, and vaginitis are much lower with the use of CIDR ® than with sponges (SUÁREZ et al, 2006). In addition to lowering the efficiency of the protocol, the local adherence reactions and/or purulent secretion accumulation creates a concern related to the animal welfare.…”