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Home / Equine Research Bank / Microorganisms / Vaginal Bacteria in Mares and the Occurrence of Antimicrobia...
Microorganisms2022; 10(11); 2204; doi: 10.3390/microorganisms10112204

Vaginal Bacteria in Mares and the Occurrence of Antimicrobial Resistance.

Abstract: Antibiotics are added to semen extenders in insemination doses but their effect on the vaginal microbiota of the inseminated female is unknown. The objectives of this study were to define the equine vaginal microbiota and its antimicrobial resistance, and to determine whether it changes after exposure to antibiotics in semen extenders. Vaginal swabs were taken prior to sham-insemination (day 0), and again on days 3, 7, and 14 after insemination. Isolated bacteria were identified by MALDI-TOF and tested for antimicrobial susceptibility by microdilution. The bacteria isolated from the vagina differed according to reproductive status (brood mare or maiden mare), location (north or middle of Sweden), and the stage of the estrous cycle. Five bacterial species were frequently isolated from mares in both locations: , , , , and . Overall, vaginal bacteria isolated from inseminated mares showed higher antibiotic resistance than from non-inseminated mares, suggesting a possible link between exposure to antibiotics in the semen extender and the appearance of antimicrobial resistance. The whole-genome sequencing of isolates from inseminated mares revealed some genes which are known to confer antimicrobial resistance; however, some instances of resistance in these isolates were not characteristic of induced AMR.
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Publication Date: 2022-11-08 PubMed ID: 36363796PubMed Central: PMC9697545DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10112204Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

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The research article “Vaginal Bacteria in Mares and the Occurrence of Antimicrobial Resistance” reveals how antibiotics used in semen extenders for insemination may possibly influence the vaginal microbiota in mares and contribute to antibiotic resistance.

Objective and Methodology of the Study

  • This study is centered on understanding the vaginal bacteria located in mares and how this bacteria may be affected by the antibiotics included in semen extenders used for insemination.
  • To achieve this, researchers used vaginal swabs on various occasions – before sham insemination and days 3, 7, and 14 post-insemination. The collected samples underwent microbial identification via matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF). They were then tested for their susceptibility to antimicrobials through microdilution.

Research Findings

  • The findings revealed that the variety of bacteria present in the vagina of the mares differed upon various factors. These factors include their reproductive status (brood mare or maiden mare), geographical location (north or middle of Sweden), and the phase of the estrous cycle the mare was in.
  • Five bacterial species were consistently isolated from the subjects irrespective of their location. These species include Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus, Trueperella pyogenes, Bacillus safensis, Bacillus megaterium, and Staphylococcus pasteuri.

Antibiotic Resistance and the Role of Semen Extender

  • A striking revelation was that vaginal bacteria derived from mares that had been inseminated presented higher antibiotic resistance compared to those from non-inseminated mares. This hints towards the probability that the exposure to antibiotics present in semen extenders could play a role in the development of antimicrobial resistance.
  • The researchers carried out whole-genome sequencing on Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus isolates which were derived from inseminated mares. The sequencing revealed the presence of certain genes that are known to instigate antimicrobial resistance.
  • The researchers observed certain cases of resistance in these specific isolates that did not correlate with typical induced antimicrobial resistance. This suggests that other mechanisms may contribute to the development of antibiotic resistance.

The results of this study offer significant insights into how antibiotics used in semen extenders may impact the female’s vaginal microbiota and encourage antimicrobial resistance. Further research is required to validate these findings and delve deeper into the resistome investigation.

Cite This Article

APA
Malaluang P, Wilén E, Frosth S, Lindahl J, Hansson I, Morrell JM. (2022). Vaginal Bacteria in Mares and the Occurrence of Antimicrobial Resistance. Microorganisms, 10(11), 2204. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms10112204

Publication

Microorganisms
ISSN: 2076-2607
NlmUniqueID: 101625893
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 10
Issue: 11
PII: 2204

Researcher Affiliations

Malaluang, Pongpreecha
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), 75007 Uppsala, Sweden.
  • Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Mahasarakham University, Maha Sarakham 40000, Thailand.
Wilén, Elin
  • Evidensia Horse Clinic, 96174 Boden, Sweden.
Frosth, Sara
  • Biomedical Science and Veterinary Public Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), 75007 Uppsala, Sweden.
Lindahl, Johanna
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), 75007 Uppsala, Sweden.
Hansson, Ingrid
  • Biomedical Science and Veterinary Public Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), 75007 Uppsala, Sweden.
Morrell, Jane M
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), 75007 Uppsala, Sweden.

Grant Funding

  • Mahasarakham University
  • Elsa Paulssons Minnesfond
  • Agria SVT

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest. The funders had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript; or in the decision to publish the results.

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Citations

This article has been cited 3 times.
  1. Tyrnenopoulou P, Fthenakis GC. Clinical Aspects of Bacterial Distribution and Antibiotic Resistance in the Reproductive System of Equids.. Antibiotics (Basel) 2023 Mar 28;12(4).
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  2. Malaluang P, Wilén E, Frosth S, Lindahl JF, Hansson I, Morrell JM. Antimicrobial Resistance in Vaginal Bacteria in Inseminated Mares.. Pathogens 2023 Feb 24;12(3).
    doi: 10.3390/pathogens12030375pubmed: 36986297google scholar: lookup
  3. Smoglica C, Vergara A, Angelucci S, Festino AR, Antonucci A, Marsilio F, Di Francesco CE. Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria Dissemination in the Wildlife, Livestock, and Water of Maiella National Park, Italy.. Animals (Basel) 2023 Jan 27;13(3).
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