A research group from NOSAI Hokkaido, Okayama University, Hokkaido University, and Azabu University has clarified that the intrauterine microflora of cattle forms different microbiota due to differences in feeding management for each farm, and that it changes in relation to fertility. bottom.
Cows that do not conceive even after three or more artificial inseminations (repeat breeders) have no abnormalities in their ovaries and uterus and have a normal estrous cycle. inflicting economic losses on dairy farmers.The ratio of repeat breeders is 3 to 1%, and countermeasures are required.
In recent years, advances in analysis technology have revealed the presence of intrauterine microflora in the uterus, which has been considered sterile, and is attracting attention as a new cause of subfertility.This time, the research group examined the usefulness of bovine intrauterine microbiota testing.
We analyzed the intrauterine microbiota of 4 cattle from four farms with different feeding management, and examined differences in intrauterine microbiota with respect to farms, feeds fed, and rearing methods. It was found to affect the microbiota.
Furthermore, when we analyzed the relationship between intrauterine microflora and low fertility in 1 cows from one farm, we found that a specific bacterium (Arcobacter) was associated with low fertility.In addition, we conducted an analysis (co-occurrence network analysis) to find out the cooperation system between bacteria, and found positive and negative relationships between bacteria related to low fertility.This enabled the detection of bacterial groups associated with low fertility.
As research progresses, uterine microbiome testing (a test to determine whether the microbial environment in the uterus is optimal for embryo implantation) has been established as a new approach to diagnose the cause of low fertility. It is expected to contribute to the improvement of breeding management.
