Characterize sow microbial communities of the vaginal, fecal and uterine body sites and their contribution to agalactia

Disorders of the urogenital tract such as endometritis and cystitis have been associated with agalactia, PDS or MMA in sows. Endometritis is a disorder characterized by inflammation of the endometrium and results from an imbalance between external factors and the sows uterine immune defense. 36 sows were identified as agalactic and subsequently matched with a healthy sow of the same parity and day of lactation for use as a control. Vaginal and fecal swabs for microbiota DNA extraction were collected by aseptically inserting a 7-inch histology brush into the vagina or rectum of sows and brushing the orifice for approximately 15 seconds. Cervical fluid for microbiota DNA extraction was collected using a Metricheck device. The device was inserted 25-35cm into the vagina and guided through the cervix to collect cervical fluid. These samples were collected at timepoint 1, within 24 to 36 hours post farrowing, and timepoint 2 was when the sow was designated as agalactic or control.