UTERINE, CERVICAL AND VAGINAL MICROFLORA OF THE NORMAL BITCH THROUGHOUT THE REPRODUCTIVE-CYCLE

Samples for microbiological culture were collected from the uterus of bitches using transcervical uterine cannulation (31 samples, 23 bitche s) and from the uterus, cervix and vagina post mortem (19 bitches) at all stages of the reproductive cycle. Samples were cultured for aerobi c and anaerobic bacteria and for aerobic mycoplasmas. Bacteria were al ways found in the uterus during pro-oestrus and oestrus (12 positive i n 12 cultures) and rarely at other stages of the reproductive cycle: d uring anoestrus (one in 14) and other stages (none in 24). When microo rganisms were detected at three sites post mortem, those found in the cervix and vagina were always of the same species as those found in th e uterus. In six out of 13 instances, microorganisms were found in the cervix or vagina when none were found in the uterus. The mean number of isolates, number of bacteria seen in uterine cytology and bacterial growth were greater (P < 0.005) during oestrus and pro-oestrus than a t other stages. Bacteria isolated from the uterus, in order of frequen cy, were Escherichia coli, Haemophilus species, alpha-haemolytic strep tococci, Corynebacterium species, Streptococcus canis, Alcaligenes fae calis, Bacteroides species, Pasteurella species and Proteus mirabilis. No mycoplasmas were cultured from the samples. This study indicates t hat the uterus of the normal bitch has a uterine microflora during pro -oestrus and oestrus that is similar to that of the vagina and cervix.