[The genital microflora in the stallion–microbiological study of presecretion samples from 1972 to 1991].

The study examines the genital microflora of stallions over a 20-year period and determines that significant pathogenic germs were present in 13.5% of samples, despite considerable annual fluctuations. It was found that minimal growth in culture generally indicates just temporary colonization of the genitals and, aside from specific cases, these results may be ignored unless clinical findings or patient histories suggest otherwise.

Objective of the Study

• The main objective of the study was to analyze the genital microflora or bacterial culture in stallions. This was done by examining pre-secretion samples from 1972 to 1991 to figure out the presence and behaviour of facultatively pathogenic germs or bacteria that can cause disease under certain conditions.

Methods and Findings

• An average of 183 stallions were examined every year over the twenty-year period.
• This examination revealed the presence of facultatively pathogenic germs in 13.5% of the samples.
• However, there was a notable fluctuation in this percentage annually, as well as in the percentage of the different types of germs present.
• In most of the cases, only minimal growth was observed in the cultures that were tested.
• These findings were contrary to previous ones from the examination of cervical swabs of mares.

Evaluation and Interpretation

• To properly interpret and understand the significance of the results, the stability of the pathogenic germs were further investigated.
• It was found that the presence or degree of these pathogenic germs were strongly dependent on the quantity and to some extent the type of germs present.

Conclusion

• Based on the findings of the study, the researchers concluded that minimal growth in culture essentially indicates a temporary colonization of the genitals. This suggests that the genitals are not consistently or permanently infested with these microbes.
• These results can be overlooked unless there are certain indications from clinical findings or the medical history of the stallion that suggest otherwise.
• An exception to this is the indication of Contagious Equine Metritis Organism (CEMO), a bacterium that can cause a highly infectious, sexually transmitted disease in horses.