Detection of bacteria in bovine ovarian follicular fluid

Abstract

Significance and Impact of the Study: The results of the present study show that ovarian follicular fluid is not sterile in bovines. The presence of Staphylococcus aureus in follicular fluid may partly explain the occurrence of infertility in some dairy cows. AbstractThe aim of this study was to examine the sterility of follicular fluid in large ovarian follicles in dairy cows. In all, 17 samples of paired follicular fluids and uterine contents collected from post-slaughtered dairy cows were cultured to detect aerobic and facultative anaerobic bacteria. Furthermore, the origin of the bacterial isolates from samples of follicular fluid and the uteri was also investigated using PFGE analysis. Follicular fluid concentrations of lipopolysaccharides were also determined. Of 17 uterine samples, 15 (88%) were detected as contaminated. In total, nine different bacterial genera and species were identified in the uterine and follicular fluid samples. Escherichia coli was the most prevalent bacterial species isolated from the uterine samples. Out of seven isolates of Staphylococcus aureus from the uterine samples, 6 (85%) were coagulase positive. Six isolates of Staphylococcus spp. were identified in 6 out of 17 follicular fluid samples (35%). Two out of six isolates were identified as Staphylococcus aureus (33%). Our results show that ovarian follicular fluid is not sterile in the bovine. The presence of Staphylococcus aureus in follicular fluid may partly explain the occurrence of infertility in some dairy cows.

Characterization of the follicular fluid microbiota based on culturomics and sequencing analysis

“…and Staphylococcus spp. [8,11] could be isolated from human follicular fluid samples under different media and atmospheric conditions; Staphylococcus aureus was identified in follicular fluid samples collected from post-slaughter dairy cows [14]. Our results were partly in line with the previous studies on bacteria in follicular fluid collected from humans and animals.…”

“…Staphylococcus infections may occur and influence reproductive functions and can induce endometritis, leading to infertility [48]. In addition, the presence of S. aureus in follicular fluid might partly explain the occurrence of infertility in some dairy cows [14]. Recently, Streptococcus agalactiae was identified as a taxon of placental origin [49].…”

“…In addition, the presence of S. aureus in follicular fluid might partly explain the occurrence of infertility in some dairy cows [14]. Recently, Streptococcus agalactiae was identified as a taxon of placental origin [49].…”

Microorganisms in the reproductive system and probiotic's regulatory effects on reproductive health

“…Microorganisms have been identified both in the upper and lower tracts. The upper tract was originally thought to be sterile, but promising research has indicated the existence of microorganisms in the follicle, fallopian tubes, uterus, and placenta [3] , [7] , [47] , [48] . The lower reproductive tract shows high diversity and abundance of microbiomes [7] , [49] .…”

“…The ovarian follicles can be colonized, and several studies have shown the presence of microorganisms in follicular fluid, not only in humans but also in bovines and swine, among other animals [48] , [50] . Follicular fluid plays important roles in ovarian physiology, including in steroidogenesis, follicle growth, ovulation, oocyte maturation, and oviduct transport.…”