CHARACTERIZATION OF THE VAGINAL MICROBIOTA OF EWES AND COWS AND IDENTIFICATION OF THE MICROBIOTAS ROLE IN VAGINAL HEALTH, PREGNANCY OUTCOMES, AND NEONATAL HEALTH

We seek to examine the hypotheses that i) specific livestock vaginal communities increase or decrease the risks of acquisition of livestock venereal pathogens alike Brucella ovis, Campylobacter fetus, Helicobacter trogontum, or Arcobacter cryaerophilus; ii) that the vaginal microbiota are the first colonizers of neonatal animals and directly influence perinatal health and performance; iii) that specific vaginal microbial communities of cattle and sheep impact reproductive outcomes, including spontaneous abortion.