Association ofwith Fertility Disorders in Dogs: A Case Study Supported by Clinical Examination, PCR, 16S Microbiota Profiling, and Serology.

Abstract

The role ofin canine fertility disorders is still poorly understood. As infection is often asymptomatic, there is an increasing need for appropriate diagnostic methods and treatment plans that would allow the reliable detection ofinfection and rapid alleviation of infection symptoms in affected dogs. In this study, we included 14 dogs with fertility problems and 16 dogs without fertility disorder signs. We compared clinical examination data and selected laboratory parameters (hematology and biochemistry) between the groups. We performed PCR-based detection ofand 16S rRNA gene-based microbiota profiling of DNA isolated from vaginal and preputial swabs. Dog sera were tested for the presence of-specific antibodies. Hematological and selected biochemical parameters showed no differences between groups. PCR-based detection ofin the samples was consistent with the results of 16S microbiota profiling. Several other bacterial taxa were also identified that could potentially be involved in different fertility disorders. Serological methods were not accurate enough since high cross-reactivity rates were observed. In the future, more accurate and efficient methods will be needed to determine the role ofand its true role in the pathogenesis of specific fertility disorders in dogs.