Identification of Naturally Occurring Inhabitants of Vaginal Microbiota in Cows and Determination of Their Antibiotic Sensitivity

The vaginal microbiota plays a crucial role in bovine reproductive health in the periparturient period. This study aimed to characterize the naturally occurring bacterial species in the vaginal microbiome of healthy Holstein Frisian cows and evaluate their antibiotic sensitivity. Vaginal samples were collected from 44 healthy cows on three dairy farms. A total of 54 bacterial species were detected, with Gram-positive bacteria comprising 87% of the isolates. The most prevalent genera were <i>Bacillus</i>, <i>Streptococcus</i>, and <i>Staphylococcus</i>. Antibiotic susceptibility tests indicated that some isolates carried resistance genes, but most remained sensitive to commonly used antibiotics. The average vaginal mucosa pH was 7.2. These findings provide valuable insights into the diversity of vaginal microbiota of healthy dairy cows. Understanding the bacterial composition and antibiotic susceptibility can support reproductive health management and prudent use of antibiotics in dairy herds.