Vaginal microflora in ewes after estrus synchronization with intravaginal sponges Sulake Fadhil Abbas Al-Zubaidi1; Zina Bakir Abdul-Hussain2 and Iman Fadhil Abdul-Hussain3

Abstract

     The aims of this study were to detect the changes in microflora and incidence of vaginitis in ewes after using of intravaginal sponges. Twenty five Awasi ewes were divided randomly into two groups (1^st group included 9 animals and 2^nd group included 16 animals). Both groups were treated with intravaginal sponges (20 mg) for 12 and 10 days respectively. Swabs were taken from vagina before insertion of sponges and immediately after sponges’ removal. The results showed that, only 2 ewes in 1^st group exhibited estrus while all ewes in 2^nd group exhibited estrus. Escherichia coli was the most predominant bacteria before insertion and withdrawal of sponges (66.66 and 68%) respectively. Four from nine ewes in 1^st group, whereas only one ewe in 2^nd group revealed vaginitis. It was concluded that intravaginal sponges do not change microflora in the vagina plainly but may cause vaginitis.