Characterization of microbial communities and predicted metabolic pathways in the uterus of healthy mares.
Abstract: Culture-independent techniques have made it possible to expand the knowledge about the composition of bacterial communities present in the healthy uterus and their role in health and disease, mainly in humans. However, in animals like mares, there is a dearth of information regarding this area. To narrow this knowledge gap, the objective of this study was to identify and characterize the composition and function of the uterine microbiome of a group of Chilean purebred mares (CPM), an equine breed with the oldest genealogical record in South America and an economical important reproductive industry. From uterine biopsy samples obtained during estrus, DNA extraction and targeted sequencing were performed to investigate the bacterial diversity and its probable metabolic function. CPM biopsy samples were characterized by having a varied microbial composition, where the four most relatively abundant phyla were Proteobacteria (69.6%), Firmicutes (21.1%), Bacteroidetes (7.8%), and Actinobacteria (1.06%); which made up 99.6% of the total identified phyla. In contrast, Actinobacteria and Fusobacteria were the phyla not identified in all samples. Of a total of 59 genera identified across all samples, was the most abundant genus with an average relative abundance of 18.88%, followed by (17.9%), / (10.42%), and (9.92%). These findings contribute to the knowledge of microbes' presence in the uterus, while future studies are required to demonstrate the role of these microorganisms in health and disease.
Publication Date: 2022-11-07 PubMed ID: 36650865PubMed Central: PMC9805769DOI: 10.5455/OVJ.2022.v12.i6.3Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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This research analyzes the composition and function of microbial communities in the uterus of healthy Chilean purebred mares. The study used DNA extraction and targeted sequencing to identify the dominant contributors to the uterine microbiome and their possible metabolic function.
Understanding the Study Objective
- The primary goal of the study was to identify and characterize the bacterial communities present in the uterus of healthy Chilean purebred mares, an equine breed with a long genealogical history in South America.
- This research aims to fill the current knowledge gap about uterine microbiomes in animals, particularly mares, as previously available information has primarily focused on humans.
Research Methodology
- Researchers obtained uterine biopsy samples from mares during their estrus phase. They then extracted DNA from these samples and performed targeted sequencing to investigate the bacterial diversity and potential metabolic functions.
- This culture-independent technique allowed the researchers to analyze the microbial composition without having to first cultivate the microorganisms in the lab.
Key Findings from the Study
- The uterine microbiome of the sampled Chilean purebred mares was found to be rich and varied.
- The four most abundant phyla identified were Proteobacteria (69.6%), Firmicutes (21.1%), Bacteroidetes (7.8%), and Actinobacteria (1.06%). These made up 99.6% of the total identified phyla.
- However, not all phyla including Actinobacteria and Fusobacteria were found in every sample.
- A total of 59 different genera were identified across all samples, with some genera being more dominant than others.
Conclusions and Future Directions
- This study adds to the current understanding of the presence of microbes in the uterine environment of healthy Chilean purebred mares.
- However, the specific roles these microorganisms play in health and disease are still not clear, necessitating further research in this area.
Cite This Article
APA
Thomson P, Pareja J, Núñez A, Santibáñez R, Castro R.
(2022).
Characterization of microbial communities and predicted metabolic pathways in the uterus of healthy mares.
Open Vet J, 12(6), 797-805.
https://doi.org/10.5455/OVJ.2022.v12.i6.3 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Laboratorio de Microbiología Clínica y Microbioma, Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andrés Bello, Santiago, Chile.
- Laboratorio de Microbiología Clínica y Microbioma, Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andrés Bello, Santiago, Chile.
- Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Facultad de Recursos Naturales y Medicina Veterinaria, Universidad Santo Tomás, Santiago, Chile.
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Agronomía, Universidad de las Américas, Santiago, Chile.
- Department of Chemical and Bioprocess Engineering, Escuela de Ingeniería, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
- Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Facultad de Recursos Naturales y Medicina Veterinaria, Universidad Santo Tomás, Santiago, Chile.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Female
- Humans
- Actinobacteria / genetics
- Bacteria / genetics
- Firmicutes / genetics
- Horses
- Metabolic Networks and Pathways
- Microbiota / genetics
- Uterus / microbiology
Conflict of Interest Statement
The authors have no conflict of interest to declare.
References
This article includes 65 references
Citations
This article has been cited 8 times.- Núñez A, Castro R, Thomson P. Antimicrobial resistance of coagulase-negative Staphylococcus isolated from the external ear canal of healthy cats in Talca, Chile, South América preliminary results. Open Vet J 2025 Sep;15(9):4075-4081.
- Núñez A, Lapierre L, Escobar B, Castro R. Antimicrobial resistance of Staphylococcus isolated from the ear canal of a group of dogs with otitis externa in Talca, Chile, South América Preliminary results. Open Vet J 2025 Jun;15(6):2895-2902.
- Nash DM, Giles JL. Uterine inflammation and lessons from large animal models of endometritis. Nat Rev Immunol 2025 Dec;25(12):934-946.
- Herzog F, Crissman KR, Beckers KF, Zhou G, Liu CC, Sones JL. Lactobacillus Genus Complex Probiotic-Induced Changes on the Equine Clitoral Microbiome. Vet Sci 2025 Mar 3;12(3).
- Gil-Miranda A, Macnicol J, Orellana-Guerrero D, Samper JC, Gomez DE. Reproductive Tract Microbiota of Mares. Vet Sci 2024 Jul 18;11(7).
- Gil-Miranda A, Caddey B, Orellana-Guerrero D, Smith H, Samper JC, Gomez DE. Vaginal and Uterine Microbiota of Healthy Maiden Mares during Estrus. Vet Sci 2024 Jul 18;11(7).
- Silva JA, Castañares M, Mouguelar H, Valenciano JA, Pellegrino MS. Isolation of lactic acid bacteria from the reproductive tract of mares as potentially beneficial strains to prevent equine endometritis. Vet Res Commun 2024 Jun;48(3):1353-1366.
- Thomson P, García P, Río CD, Castro R, Núñez A, Miranda C. Antimicrobial Resistance and Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase Genes in Enterobacterales, Pseudomonas and Acinetobacter Isolates from the Uterus of Healthy Mares. Pathogens 2023 Sep 8;12(9).
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