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Antonie van Leeuwenhoek2007; 93(1-2); 71-78; doi: 10.1007/s10482-007-9180-4

Vaginal lactic acid bacteria in the mare: evaluation of the probiotic potential of native Lactobacillus spp. and Enterococcus spp. strains.

Abstract: Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are important members of the human vaginal microbiota and their presence is considered beneficial. However, little is known about native vaginal bacteria in other animal species such as the horse. The aim of this work was to quantify the vaginal lactic acid bacteria and lactobacilli of mares and to establish if selected equine vaginal lactic acid bacteria, particularly Lactobacillus and Enterococcus spp. strains, could exhibit potential as probiotics. The vaginal lactic acid bacteria and lactobacilli of 26 mares were quantified by plate counts. Five strains (three Lactobacillus spp. and two Enterococcus spp.) were characterised and adhesion to vaginal epithelial cells, antimicrobial activity and ability to form biofilms were evaluated. Lactic acid bacteria were recovered from the 26 samples and lactobacilli counts were detected in 18 out of 26 mares (69%). Probiotic properties tested in this study varied among the isolates and showed promising features for their use as equine probiotics.
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Publication Date: 2007-06-21 PubMed ID: 17588124DOI: 10.1007/s10482-007-9180-4Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research aimed to explore the levels and potential probiotic properties of lactic acid bacteria, specifically Lactobacillus and Enterococcus spp. strains, in the vaginal environment of horses.

Overview of Research Methodology

  • The study involved sampling vaginal lactic acid bacteria and lactobacilli from a total of 26 mares.
  • The bacteria were quantified through plate counts.
  • Five representative strains (three Lactobacillus spp. and two Enterococcus spp.) were selected for further characterization.
  • Key properties evaluated included adhesion to vaginal epithelial cells, antimicrobial activity, and biofilm formation ability.

Key Findings

  • The researchers successfully recovered lactic acid bacteria from all 26 sampled mares.
  • Among the mares, 18 of them (making approximately 69% of the total) were found to have measurable lactobacilli counts.
  • The probiotic properties under consideration were found to vary among the isolated strains.
  • However, the varying properties identified showed signs of potential promise for the strains’ potential use as equine probiotics.

Implications and Conclusions

  • The study helps fill a knowledge gap by increasing understanding of native vaginal bacteria in an animal species other than humans.
  • The findings bring us a step closer to the potential use of specific Lactobacillus and Enterococcus strains as probiotics in horses, which can boost equine health and well-being.
  • However, due to the observed variation in probiotic properties among the identified strains, further research is needed to better differentiate the potentiality of each strain as a probiotic and determine the best ways to utilize such strains for maximum benefit.

Cite This Article

APA
Fraga M, Perelmuter K, Delucchi L, Cidade E, Zunino P. (2007). Vaginal lactic acid bacteria in the mare: evaluation of the probiotic potential of native Lactobacillus spp. and Enterococcus spp. strains. Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek, 93(1-2), 71-78. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10482-007-9180-4

Publication

Antonie van Leeuwenhoek
ISSN: 0003-6072
NlmUniqueID: 0372625
Country: Netherlands
Language: English
Volume: 93
Issue: 1-2
Pages: 71-78

Researcher Affiliations

Fraga, Martín
  • Laboratorio de Microbiología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Avenida Italia 3318, CP 11600, Montevideo, Uruguay.
Perelmuter, Karen
    Delucchi, Luis
      Cidade, Esther
        Zunino, Pablo

          MeSH Terms

          • Animals
          • Biofilms / growth & development
          • Enterococcus / genetics
          • Enterococcus / growth & development
          • Enterococcus / isolation & purification
          • Epithelial Cells / microbiology
          • Female
          • Horses / microbiology
          • Humans
          • Lactobacillus / genetics
          • Lactobacillus / growth & development
          • Lactobacillus / isolation & purification
          • Molecular Sequence Data
          • Probiotics
          • RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / genetics
          • Sequence Analysis, DNA
          • Vagina / microbiology

          Citations

          This article has been cited 16 times.
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