Can induction of parturition effect the vaginal bacterial flora in ewes?

Abstract

Induction of parturition (IP) may have a risk for vaginal infections regarding the higher risk for dystocia and postpartum problems following IP. Thus, this study aims to evaluate vaginal bacterial flora before IP and at postpartum 15 and 30th days (d) in ewes. Twenty-four Kivircik breed ewes were divided according to induction methods and then they were induced at 138th gestation d: group I (n=6), control; group II (n=6), dexamethasone sodium phosphate (dexamethasone) 16 miligram (mg), intramuscularly (im); group III (n=6), aglepristone (5mg/kilogram (kg), subcutaneously (sc)] and group IV (n=6), dexamethasone (8mg, im) + aglepristone (2.5 mg/kg, sc). The vaginal samples of the ewes were taken with swaps before IP and this sampling was repeated on postpartum 15 and 30" d. Microbiologically, bacterial culture and antibiotic susceptibility analysis were performed. All parturitions were normal and no complication was observed at postpartum period. Escherichia coli were the most isolated bacteria in the samples of all groups, which were taken at 138th gestation and postpartum d. Acinetobacter spp. and Acinetobacter baumannii were the other isolations in group III at postpartum 15 and 30th d, respectively. Antibiotic susceptibility analysis results pointed out that E. coli and A. baumannii were 100.0% sensitive to enrofloxacin, and Acinetobacter spp. was 100.0% sensitive to trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole. Even if it was not encountered in this study, it should be considered that IP may affect the vaginal flora and maybe responsible for the postpartum infective vaginal complications.