Composition and diversity of the preputial microbiota in healthy bulls

The goal of this study was to characterize the bull penile microbiome as there are no known male urogential microbiome studies in domestic species. It has been established that vaginal and uterine microbiomes are considered healthy if there is low diversity with a few key taxa, but we do not understand whether low or high diversity is good for the penile microbiome or how the penile microbiome affects the vaginal and uterine microbomes. As the majority of cattle are traditionally bred and not artifically inseminated, the bull penile microbiome may play a role in vaginal/uterine colonization and dysbiosis.