Normal bacterial flora from vaginas of Criollo Limonero cows

Updates and Current Challenges in Reproductive Microbiome: A Comparative Analysis between Cows and Women

The microbiota plays an important role in numerous physiological processes, pathogenesis, development, and metabolism in different animal species. In humans, several studies have demonstrated an association between the vaginal microbiota and fertility rates, and even success in assisted reproduction techniques. In the context of cattle reproduction, although few studies have addressed the microbiota in a healthy state (which is not associated with diseases that affect the reproductive tract of cows), changes in its composition also seem to influence fertility. This review aims to explain the importance of the reproductive microbiota in female bovines and what is available in the literature regarding its possible role in increasing fertility. What are the challenges involved in this process? Future perspectives on its use and manipulation as a selection or intervention tool. Will it be possible to one day extrapolate the findings to reality and apply them in the field? In short, understanding the role of the reproductive microbiota of female bovines can signal the prospect of increasing production, whether of milk or meat, from the same number of animals, as it can optimize reproductive efficiency and perhaps become an allied tool for the economic profitability and sustainability of livestock farming.

Effects of Luteolin on Biofilm of Trueperella pyogenes and Its Therapeutic Effect on Rat Endometritis

Trueperella pyogenes is an opportunistic pathogen that causes suppurative infections in animals. The development of new anti-biofilm drugs will improve the current treatment status for controlling T. pyogenes infections in the animal husbandry industry. Luteolin is a naturally derived flavonoid compound with antibacterial properties. In this study, the effects and the mechanism of luteolin on T. pyogenes biofilm were analyzed and explored. The MBIC and MBEC of luteolin on T. pyogenes were 156 μg/mL and 312 μg/mL, respectively. The anti-biofilm effects of luteolin were also observed by a confocal laser microscope and scanning electron microscope. The results indicated that 312 μg/mL of luteolin could disperse large pieces of biofilm into small clusters after 8 h of treatment. According to the real-time quantitative PCR detection results, luteolin could significantly inhibit the relative expression of the biofilm-associated genes luxS, plo, rbsB and lsrB. In addition, the in vivo anti-biofilm activity of luteolin against T. pyogenes was studied using a rat endometritis model established by glacial acetic acid stimulation and T. pyogenes intrauterine infusion. Our study showed that luteolin could significantly reduce the symptoms of rat endometritis. These data may provide new opinions on the clinical treatment of luteolin and other flavonoid compounds on T. pyogenes biofilm-associated infections.

Utilizing the Gastrointestinal Microbiota to Modulate Cattle Health through the Microbiome-Gut-Organ Axes

The microorganisms inhabiting the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of ruminants have a mutualistic relationship with the host that influences the efficiency and health of the ruminants. The GIT microbiota interacts with the host immune system to influence not only the GIT, but other organs in the body as well. The objective of this review is to highlight the importance of the role the gastrointestinal microbiota plays in modulating the health of a host through communication with different organs in the body through the microbiome-gut-organ axes. Among other things, the GIT microbiota produces metabolites for the host and prevents the colonization of pathogens. In order to prevent dysbiosis of the GIT microbiota, gut microbial therapies can be utilized to re-introduce beneficial bacteria and regain homeostasis within the rumen environment and promote gastrointestinal health. Additionally, controlling GIT dysbiosis can aid the immune system in preventing disfunction in other organ systems in the body through the microbiome-gut-brain axis, the microbiome-gut-lung axis, the microbiome-gut-mammary axis, and the microbiome-gut-reproductive axis.

Staphylococcus pasteuri (BCVME2) Resident in Buffalo Cervical Vaginal Mucus: A Potential Source of Estrus-Specific Sex Pheromone(s)

Mammals have microbes resident in their reproductive tract, some of which can be pathogenic while others may play a role in protecting the tract from infection. Volatile compounds play a role as sex pheromones that attract males for coitus during female estrus or heat. It is likely that these compounds themselves are secondary metabolites of bacterial flora resident in the vagina. In order to substantiate this hypothesis, bacteria were isolated from cervico-vaginal mucus (CVM) of buffalo during various phases of the estrous cycle and identified, using morphological, biochemical and molecular characteristics, as Bacillus during preestrus and diestrus, and as Staphylococcus during all three phases of the estrous cycle. Populations of Staphylococcus differed between different phases of the estrous cycle, the predominant forms being S. warneri (BCVMPE1_1) during preestrus, S. pastueri (BCVME2) during estrus and S. epidermis (BCVMDE3) during diestrus. Mice were used as chemosensors to differentiate the estrus-specific S. pasteuri (BCVME2) from the others. Chemical analysis showed that S. pasteuri (BCVME2) produced acetic, propanoic, isobutyric, butyric, isovaleric and valeric acids. In addition, it was shown that S. pasteuri (BCVME2) volatiles influenced the sexual behaviors, flehmen and mounting, of the bull. Thus, S. pasteuri (BCVME2) is a potential source of vaginal pheromone(s) during estrus in buffalo.

Heat stress response in slick vs normal-haired Criollo Limonero heifers in a tropical environment

To assess the effect of hair type on the heat stress response, 20 Criollo Limonero heifers with slick (n = 11) or normal hair (n = 9) were studied. Under a high temperature-humidity index (THI) environment, heat stress response was assessed through physiological variables that included respiration rate (RR), heart rate (HR), ruminal frequency (RMF), rectal temperature (RT), saliva pH (SPH), and lymphocyte count (LC) in the morning (5:00 AM, 27.4 °C, 64% relative humidity, THI = 77) and afternoon (1:00 PM, 34.5 °C, 70% relative humidity, THI = 88). A case-control study using a split plot design was used. Data were analyzed using ANOVA (PROC MIXED SAS 2010) and a statistical model comprising the fixed effects of hair length, sampling hour, interaction of hair length by sampling hour, and the random effect of animal nested within hair type on physiological variables associated with heat stress response. Sampling hour influenced (P < 0.0001) RR, RT, and (P < 0.003) SPH. Hair length influenced RR (P < 0.01) and RT (P < 0.04) and tended to influence LC (P < 0.07). The interaction of sampling hour by hair influenced RR (P < 0.04), RT (P < 0.0002), and both SPH and LC (P < 0.05). During afternoon hours, slick-haired heifers had lower values for RR (81 ± 4.2 vs 102 ± 4.7 bpm; P < 0.01), RT (39.5 ± 0.1 vs 40.3 ± 0.1 C°; P < 0.002), and LC (60 ± 3.2 vs 72.3 ± 3.6; P < 0.09) than normal-haired heifers. In normal-haired heifers, SPH increased during afternoon compared to morning-hours (8.66 ± 0.1 vs 9.11 ± 0.1; P < 0.04). It was concluded that slick-coated heifers exhibited an enhanced capability to cope with heat stress compared to normal-haired heifers likely due to an enhanced capacity for heat dissipation.

Interrogating the bovine reproductive tract metagenomes using culture-independent approaches: a systematic review

Undesirable microbial infiltration into the female bovine reproductive tracts, for example during calving or mating, is likely to disturb the commensal microflora. Persistent establishment and overgrowth of certain pathogens induce reproductive diseases, render the female bovine reproductive tract unfavourable for pregnancy or can result in transmission to the foetus, leading to death and abortion or birth abnormalities. This review of culture-independent metagenomics studies revealed that normal microflora in the female bovine reproductive tract is reasonably consistently dominated by bacteria from the phyla Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, following by Actinobacteria, Fusobacteria and Tenericutes. Reproductive disease development in the female bovine reproductive tract was demonstrated across multiple studies to be associated with high relative abundances of bacteria from the phyla Bacteroidetes and Fusobacteria. Reduced bacterial diversity in the reproductive tract microbiome in some studies of cows diagnosed with reproductive diseases also indicated an association between dysbiosis and bovine reproductive health. Nonetheless, the bovine genital tract microbiome remains underexplored, and this is especially true for the male genital tract. Future research should focus on the functional aspects of the bovine reproductive tract microbiomes, for example their contributions to cattle fertility and susceptibility towards reproductive diseases.

The Cattle Microbiota and the Immune System: An Evolving Field

New insights into the host-microbiota relationship have recently emerged with the advancement of molecular technologies such as next-generation sequencing. This article presents the current knowledge regarding the interaction between bacteria and the immune system of the gut, the uterus, and the mammary gland of cattle.

Pathogenicity and Virulence of Trueperella pyogenes: A Review

Bacteria from the species Trueperella pyogenes are a part of the biota of skin and mucous membranes of the upper respiratory, gastrointestinal, or urogenital tracts of animals, but also, opportunistic pathogens. T. pyogenes causes a variety of purulent infections, such as metritis, mastitis, pneumonia, and abscesses, which, in livestock breeding, generate significant economic losses. Although this species has been known for a long time, many questions concerning the mechanisms of infection pathogenesis, as well as reservoirs and routes of transmission of bacteria, remain poorly understood. Pyolysin is a major known virulence factor of T. pyogenes that belongs to the family of cholesterol-dependent cytolysins. Its cytolytic activity is associated with transmembrane pore formation. Other putative virulence factors, including neuraminidases, extracellular matrix-binding proteins, fimbriae, and biofilm formation ability, contribute to the adhesion and colonization of the host tissues. However, data about the pathogen–host interactions that may be involved in the development of T. pyogenes infection are still limited. The aim of this review is to present the current knowledge about the pathogenic potential and virulence of T. pyogenes.

Isolation and identification of culturable fungi from the genitals and semen of healthy giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca)

BACKGROUND

In order to better understand the possible role of fungi in giant panda reproduction and overall health, it is important to provide a baseline for the normal fungal composition in the reproductive system. Using morphology and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequence analysis, we systematically isolated and identified fungal species from the vagina, foreskin, and semen of 21 (11 males and 10 females) healthy giant pandas to understand the normal fungal flora of the genital tracts.

RESULTS

A total of 76 fungal strains were obtained, representing 42 genera and 60 species. Among them 47 fungal strains were obtained from vaginal samples, 24 from foreskins, and 5 from semen samples. Several fungal strains were isolated from more than one sample. More fungal species were isolated from females from males. The predominant genera were Aspergillus, Trichosporon, and Penicillium, followed by Candida, Cladosporium, Sordariomycetes, and Diaporthe. The average number of strains in the female vagina was significantly higher than in the foreskin and semen of male.

CONCLUSIONS

A total of 60 fungal species (belonging to 42 genera) were identified in the giant panda's genital tract. Some of the species were commonly shared in both males and females. These findings provide novel information on the fungal community in the reproductive tracts of giant pandas.

Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae serotype 5-associated metritis in a Norwegian Red heifer

This report summarized the findings of a case of Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae infection in a farmed Norwegian Red heifer located in the south‐east of Norway. The 2.5‐year‐old pregnant heifer was found dead after a short episode of inappetence. On gross exam, the heifer was severely dehydrated with uterine torsion. Microscopically, necrosis of the endometrium was present throughout the uterus along with presence of intralesional Gram‐positive bacteria, interstitial nephritis, and pyelonephritis. E. rhusiopathiae was isolated from the uterus and placenta and was also demonstrated by immunohistochemistry (IHC) in the uterus, placenta, and kidney. The E. rhusiopathiae isolate was further characterized as serotype 5. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first report of bacterial metritis associated with E. rhusiopathiae serotype 5 infection. The etiology of the infection is unknown but the E. rhusiopathiae could have been a primary or opportunistic pathogen. Serotype 5 of E. rhusiopathiae has been identified in several mammalian species in recent years and could be emerging.

Effect of high-fat diet and growth stage on the diversity and composition of intestinal microbiota in healthy bovine livestock

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to investigate the composition of bacteria in the bovine rectum and their functions during growth, in relation to different diets. Fecal samples were collected from 6-, 12-, 18- and 24-month cattle fed high-fat diet, and healthy female parents fed regular diet. Total DNA was amplified (V3-V4 of 16S rRNA) and submitted to barcode-DNA pyrosequencing. Intestinal microbiota profiles and functions were then analyzed.

RESULTS

A total of 114 512 operational taxonomic units were detected from the 1 802 243 sequences obtained. In 6-month-old and female parent groups, the top three abundant phyla were Bacteroidetes (37.6%, 32.2%), Firmicutes (34.4%, 48.2%) and Proteobacteria (9.1%, 6.3%); in the 12-, 18- and 24-month groups, they were Proteobacteria (45.5%, 47.1%, 38.8%), Firmicutes (27.4%, 22.2%, 20.1%) and Bacteroidetes (14.9%, 19.4%, 17.7%), respectively. Paludibacter and Desulfopila in abundance showed negative (P < 0.001) and positive (P < 0.05) correlation, respectively, to cattle weight gain through metagenomic functional prediction of methane, cysteine and methionine metabolism. Meanwhile, cofactor/vitamin and amino acid metabolic processes were significantly higher in bacteria from the regular diet group than high-fat diet groups, with markedly lower cellular processes and signaling, and reduced glycan biosynthesis and metabolism (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

The 6-month cattle and female parents shared similar intestinal bacteria; the community structure of fecal microbiota was significantly affected by high-fat diet in older cattle. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.

The normal vaginal and uterine bacterial microbiome in giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca)

While the health effects of the colonization of the reproductive tracts of mammals by bacterial communities are widely known, there is a dearth of knowledge specifically in relation to giant panda microbiomes. In order to investigate the vaginal and uterine bacterial diversity of healthy giant pandas, we used high-throughput sequence analysis of portions of the 16S rRNA gene, based on samples taken from the vaginas (GPV group) and uteri (GPU group) of these animals. Results showed that the four most abundant phyla, which contained in excess of 98% of the total sequences, were Proteobacteria (59.2% for GPV and 51.4% for GPU), Firmicutes (34.4% for GPV and 23.3% for GPU), Actinobacteria (5.2% for GPV and 14.0% for GPU) and Bacteroidetes (0.3% for GPV and 10.3% for GPU). At the genus level, Escherichia was most abundant (11.0%) in the GPV, followed by Leuconostoc (8.7%), Pseudomonas (8.0%), Acinetobacter (7.3%), Streptococcus (6.3%) and Lactococcus (6.0%). In relation to the uterine samples, Janthinobacterium had the highest prevalence rate (20.2%), followed by Corynebacterium (13.2%), Streptococcus (19.6%), Psychrobacter (9.3%), Escherichia (7.5%) and Bacteroides (6.2%). Moreover, both Chao1 and abundance-based coverage estimator (ACE) species richness indices, which were operating at the same sequencing depth for each sample, demonstrated that GPV had more species richness than GPU, while Simpson and Shannon indices of diversity indicated that GPV had the higher bacterial diversity. These findings contribute to our understanding of the potential influence abnormal reproductive tract microbial communities have on negative pregnancy outcomes in giant pandas.

Bacterial Genomics Reveal the Complex Epidemiology of an Emerging Pathogen in Arctic and Boreal Ungulates

Northern ecosystems are currently experiencing unprecedented ecological change, largely driven by a rapidly changing climate. Pathogen range expansion, and emergence and altered patterns of infectious disease, are increasingly reported in wildlife at high latitudes. Understanding the causes and consequences of shifting pathogen diversity and host-pathogen interactions in these ecosystems is important for wildlife conservation, and for indigenous populations that depend on wildlife. Among the key questions are whether disease events are associated with endemic or recently introduced pathogens, and whether emerging strains are spreading throughout the region. In this study, we used a phylogenomic approach to address these questions of pathogen endemicity and spread for Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae, an opportunistic multi-host bacterial pathogen associated with recent mortalities in arctic and boreal ungulate populations in North America. We isolated E. rhusiopathiae from carcasses associated with large-scale die-offs of muskoxen in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago, and from contemporaneous mortality events and/or population declines among muskoxen in northwestern Alaska and caribou and moose in western Canada. Bacterial genomic diversity differed markedly among these locations; minimal divergence was present among isolates from muskoxen in the Canadian Arctic, while in caribou and moose populations, strains from highly divergent clades were isolated from the same location, or even from within a single carcass. These results indicate that mortalities among northern ungulates are not associated with a single emerging strain of E. rhusiopathiae, and that alternate hypotheses need to be explored. Our study illustrates the value and limitations of bacterial genomic data for discriminating between ecological hypotheses of disease emergence, and highlights the importance of studying emerging pathogens within the broader context of environmental and host factors.

NORMAL VAGINAL BACTERIAL FLORA OF GIANT PANDAS (AILUROPODA MELANOLEUCA) AND THE ANTIMICROBIAL SUSCEPTIBILITY PATTERNS OF THE ISOLATES

To study the typical vaginal bacterial flora of giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca), we took vaginal swabs for the sake of bacterial isolation, from 24 healthy female giant pandas. A total of 203 isolates were identified, representing a total of 17 bacterial species. The most common bacteria isolated were Lactobacillus spp. (54.2%, 13/24), followed by Staphylococcus epidermidis (41.7%, 10/24) and Escherichia coli (33.3%, 8/24). Some opportunistic pathogenic bacteria, such as Peptostreptococcus spp., Klebsiella pneumoniae , and Proteus mirabilis , were also isolated but showed no pathology. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing of aerobic bacterial isolates was performed with the disk diffusion method. Of the 152 isolates, resistance was most frequently observed with chloramphenicol (17.8%), followed by tetracycline (14.5%), ciprofloxacin (12.5%), streptomycin (11.8%), and florfenicol (11.8%), whereas 7.2% were multidrug resistant. This is the first report of the normal culturable vaginal bacterial flora of giant pandas and the antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of the isolates.

NORMAL VAGINAL BACTERIAL FLORA OF GIANT PANDAS (AILUROPODA MELANOLEUCA) AND THE ANTIMICROBIAL SUSCEPTIBILITY PATTERNS OF THE ISOLATES

In order to study the typical vaginal bacterial flora of giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca), we took vaginal swabs for the sake of bacterial isolation, from 24 healthy female giant pandas. A total of 203 isolates were identified, representing a total of 17 bacterial species. The most common bacteria isolated were Lactobacillus spp. (54.2%, 13 of 24), followed by Staphylococcus epidermidis (41.7%, 10 of 24) and Escherichia coli (33.3%, 8 of 24). Some opportunistic pathogenic bacteria, such as Peptostreptococcus spp., Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Proteus mirabilis, were also isolated but showed no pathology. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing of aerobic bacterial isolates was performed with disk diffusion method. Of the 152 isolates, resistance was most frequently observed with chloramphenicol (17.8%), followed by tetracycline (14.5%), ciprofloxacin (12.5%), streptomycin (11.8%), and florfenicol (11.8%), while 7.2% were multidrug resistant. This is the first report of the normal vaginal culturable bacterial flora of giant pandas, followed by the antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of the isolates.

Characterization of the Vaginal Microbiota of Ewes and Cows Reveals a Unique Microbiota with Low Levels of Lactobacilli and Near-Neutral pH

Although a number of common reproductive disorders in livestock involve bacterial infection, very little is known about their normal vaginal microbiota. Therefore, we sought to determine the species composition of sheep and cattle vaginal microbiota. Twenty Rambouillet ewes and twenty crossbred cows varying in age and reproductive status were sampled by ectocervicovaginal lavage. We amplified and sequenced the V3–V4 region of the 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) contents yielding a total of 907,667 high-quality reads. Good’s Coverage estimates indicated that we obtained data on 98 ± 0.01% of the total microbial genera present in each sample. Cow and ewe vaginal microbiota displayed few differences. Cow microbiota exhibited greater (P ≤ 0.05) α-diversity compared to the ewe microbiota. Both livestock species differed (P ≤ 0.05) from all previously reported vaginal communities. While bacteria were numerically dominant, Archaea were detected in 95% of cow and ewe samples, mainly of the order Desulfurococcales. Both ewes and cows were predominately colonized by the bacterial phyla Bacteroidetes, Fusobacteria, and Proteobacteria. The most abundant genera were Aggregatibacter spp., and Streptobacillus spp. Lactobacillus spp. were detected in 80% of ewe and 90% of cow samples, but only at very low abundances. Bacteria previously described from culture-based studies as common to the cow and ewe vaginal tract, except for Escherichia, were variably present, and only in low abundance. Ewe and cow pH differed (P ≤ 0.05), with means (±SD) of 6.7 ± 0.38 and 7.3 ± 0.63, respectively. In conclusion, 16S rRNA sequencing of cow and ewe vaginal ectocervicovaginal lavages showed that cow and ewe vaginal microbiota differ from culture-led results, revealing a microbiota distinct from previously described vaginal ecosystems.

Commensal microbiome effects on mucosal immune system development in the ruminant gastrointestinal tract

Commensal microflora play many roles within the mammalian gastrointestinal tract (GIT) that benefit host physiology by way of direct or indirect interactions with mucosal surfaces. Commensal flora comprises members across all microbial phyla, although predominantly bacterial, with population dynamics varying with host species, genotype, and environmental factors. Little is known, however, about the complex mechanisms regulating host-commensal interactions that underlie this mutually beneficial relationship and how alterations in the microbiome may influence host development and susceptibility to infection. Research into the gut microbiome has intensified as it becomes increasingly evident that symbiont-host interactions have a significant impact on mucosal immunity and health. Furthermore, evidence that microbial populations vary significantly throughout the GIT suggest that regional differences in the microbiome may also influence immune function within distinct compartments of the GIT. Postpartum colonization of the GIT has been shown to have a direct effect on mucosal immune system development, but information is limited regarding regional effects of the microbiome on the development, activation, and maturation of the mucosal immune system. This review discusses factors influencing the colonization and establishment of the microbiome throughout the GIT of newborn calves and the evidence that regional differences in the microbiome influence mucosal immune system development and maturation. The implications of this complex interaction are also discussed in terms of possible effects on responses to enteric pathogens and vaccines.

Promiscuity in mice is associated with increased vaginal bacterial diversity

Differences in the number of sexual partners (i.e., mating system) have the potential to exert a strong influence on the bacterial communities present in reproductive structures like the vagina. Because this structure serves as a conduit for gametes, bacteria present there may have a pronounced, direct effect on host reproductive success. As a first step towards the identification of the relationship between sexual behavior and potentially pathogenic bacterial communities inhabiting vital reproductive structures, as well as their potential effects on fitness, I sought to quantify differences in bacterial diversity in a promiscuous and monogamous mammal species. To accomplish this, I used two sympatric species of Peromyscus rodents--Peromyscus californicus and Peromyscus maniculatus that differ with regard to the number of sexual partners per individual to test the hypothesis that bacterial diversity should be greater in the promiscuous P. maniculatus relative to the monogamous P. californicus. As predicted, phylogenetically controlled and operational taxonomic unit-based indices of bacterial diversity indicated that diversity is greater in the promiscuous species. These results provide important new insights into the effects of mating system on bacterial diversity in free-living vertebrates, and may suggest a potential cost of promiscuity.