Investigation of postpartum dairy cows’ uterine microbial diversity using metagenomic pyrosequencing of the 16S rRNA gene

The objective of this study was the use of metagenomic pyrosequencing of the 16S rRNA gene for the investigation of postpartum dairy cows’ uterine bacterial diversity. The effect of subcutaneous supplementation of a trace mineral supplement containing Zn, Mn, Se, and Cu (Multimin North America, Inc., Fort Collins, CO) at 230 days of gestation and 260 days of gestation on dairy cows’ uterine microbiota was also evaluated. Uterine lavage samples were collected at 35 DIM and were visually scored for the presence of purulent or mucopurulent secretion. The same samples were also used for the acquisition of bacterial DNA. The 16S rRNA genes were individually amplified from each sample. Pyrosequencing of the samples was carried at the Cornell University Life Sciences Core Laboratories Center using Roche 454 GS-FLX System Titanium Chemistry. The Ribosomal Database Project online tools were used for the analysis of the obtained sequences library. Bacteroides spp., Ureaplasma spp., Fusobacterium spp., Peptostreptococcus spp., Sneathia spp., Prevotella spp. and Arcanobacterium spp. prevalence was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in samples derived from cows that had a higher uterine lavage sample score. Bacteroides spp., Ureaplasma spp., Fusobacterium spp., and Arcanobacterium spp. prevalence was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in samples derived from cows that were not pregnant by 200 DIM. Anaerococcus spp., Peptostreptococcus spp., Parabacteroides spp., and Propionibacterium spp. prevalence was significantly (P < 0.05) lower in samples derived from cows that were trace mineral supplemented.