[Consequences of a surgical correction of an insufficient closure of the vulva on genital flora and conception rate in mares].

The research focuses on how surgical correction of an insufficiently closed vulva in mares affects the genital flora and conception rates. The study finds that surgery significantly reduces bacterial contamination and increases conception rates.

Understanding the Relationship between Pneumo-vagina and Microbial Colonization

• The research conducted a detailed examination of the influence of pneumo-vagina (a condition where air is trapped in the vagina) on the microbial colonization of the genital tract in mares. The study also assessed how this interaction manifests in cytological smears, which involve the collection and microscopic examination of cells.
• The study compared bacterial growth before and after plastic surgery on the vulva and vestibulum (the entrance or cavity to a canal) in mares with poor vulval conformation.
• Significant reduction of bacterial content in the reproductive tract was observed, particularly between the vestibulum and cranial section of the vagina.

Impacts of Plastic Surgery on the Genital Flora

• There was a significant reduction in the number of contaminant bacteria in the cranial section of the vagina with poor vulval conformation after the plastic surgery was conducted on the vulva and vestibulum.
• The study shows that a fetus-free uterus within 18-20 days of pregnancy had a highly significant reduction of increased number of contaminant bacteria during vulval incompetence after surgical correction.
• In non-operated mares with poor vulval conformation, increased contamination of the reproductive tract was noted during the check-up compared to the first swab specimens taken 18-20 days prior.
• There were twice as many mares with a negative bacteriological outcome but a positive cytological result in cases of vulval incompetence compared to well-shaped vulval conformations.
• Post-surgical procedure, a reduction of these latent infections was observed in the mares.

Effects on Conception Rates

• The surgical intervention also had notable impacts on the conception rates of the mares. 72.9% of the mares operated upon were able to conceive post-surgery. This finding suggests the surgical correction of an insufficiently closed vulva significantly improves conception rates.