Description of the bacterial microbiota of anal sacs in healthy dogs

The aim of the present study was to characterize the bacterial microbiota of anal sacs in healthy dogs using NGS. Swabs were used to sample the rectum and secretions from each anal sac in 15 healthy dogs. DNA was extracted from swabs and the V4 hypervariable region of the 16S rRNA gene was amplified and sequenced with Illumina MiSeq. Overall, 14 different bacterial phyla were identified in the rectum and in both anal sacs, the 5 main ones being Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, and Fusobacteria. The rectum had higher microbial diversity and richness than the left and right anal sacs. Community membership and structure significantly differed between the rectum and both anal sacs, but not between the right and the left anal sacs. This study showed that the diversity and richness of the bacterial microbiota of the anal sacs in dogs is greater than what has been reported in previous studies with culture-based methods. In conclusion, the bacterial microbiota of the anal sacs in dogs varies between individuals and differs from the rectal bacterial microbiota.

Effect of synchronization of follicle-wave emergence with estradiol and progesterone and superstimulation with follicle-stimulating hormone on milk estrogen concentrations in dairy cattle

Very little is known about the effects of hormonal synchronization of follicle waves and superovulation on the estrogen content of a cow's milk. The objective of this study was to determine the effect in dairy cows of synchronization with estradiol-17β (E2) and progesterone (P4) on milk E2 concentrations and to compare these levels with those achieved during superstimulation for 4 d with porcine follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). The milk E2 concentrations were raised significantly above pretreatment levels (P < 0.05) for 2 d after synchronization, the mean peak being 40.2 ± 18.5 (standard error) pg/mL and the pretreatment mean 1.5 ± 0.5 pg/mL. The mean peak E2 concentration during ovarian stimulation was 4.4 ± 0.7 pg/mL. The mean E2 concentration was significantly higher (P < 0.05) after synchronization than during superstimulation for the 1st milking after synchronization but not subsequent milkings. The milk estrone concentrations were above pretreatment levels for 1 d after synchronization and were not different from those observed during superstimulation.