Uterine and vaginal swabs were collected from Elite-genotype and National Average-genotype Holstein Friesian cows and New Zealand-genotype and Danish-genotype Jersey cows at one week and nine weeks after calving. DNA was extracted from the swabs and sequenced using Illumina shotgun sequencing technology to derive a metagenomic profile for each sample. The uterine microbial population had greater diversity in cows that required assistance at calving compared with cows that calved unassisted. The uterine and vaginal microbial composition was significantly different between dairy cow genotypes and breeds. Also, the vaginal microbial population after calving was significantly different in cows that subsequently developed the uterine diseases metritis and endometritis compared with cows that remained healthy.
The dissemination strategy included a number of activities such as lectures, conference presentations, open day events, discussion group meetings, and webinars. Accordingly, information about the project was disseminated in the following ways: 1) Delivered lectures on uterine health and the uterine microbiome to Cork Institute of Technology Agri-Bioscience students, 2) Organised and promoted the Next Generation Breeding and Reproduction village at the Teagasc Moorepark 2019 Open Day, 3) Delivered presentations on the latest developments in dairy cow reproduction to veterinarian and farmer discussion groups, 4) Delivered training updates to Teagasc dairy advisors, 5) Discussed treatments for uterine disease and other opportunities to improve dairy cow fertility with farmers at the Johnstown Castle Winter milk event and during the Teagasc Dairy Breeding webinar series, 6) Delivered an oral presentation at the Microbiomes Underpinning Agriculture Conference, 7) Submitted the metagenome sequence data to an open-access database, 8) Commenced preparation of manuscripts to be published as open-access.
