Bull Reproductive Microbiome

The bull reproductive tract has generally been regarded as sterile. However, as the interest increases to use the microbiome to maternally program the offspring. Similar intentions exist within the bull reproductive landscape. As well, if a microbiome exists within the bull reproductive tract, there exists a potential for this to be exploited or to be detrimental to semen quality. Therefore, the objective of the current project was to 1) establish if there is a bull reproductive microbiome and, if so, 2) elucidate the male reproductive microbiome. The study also aimed at correlating the bull reproductive microbiome with the rumen microbiome by collecting reproductive and rumen fluid samples from live breeding bulls including testicular biopsy, raw, and extended semen. Additionally, we collected reproductive tissue samples from abattoir bulls including testicular, cauda-epididymal, seminal vesicle, and urethral samples and performed DNA extraction for 16S sequencing. By this means, we plan to elucidate a broad picture of the male reproductive microbiome, its source, and any gross similarities to the rumen microbiome. This study to our knowledge is the first of its kind to establish a core bull reproductive microbiome.