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Abstract Background An important aspect in the microbiology of the reproductive system of small animals is the potential occurrence of probiotic bacteria, such as lactic acid bacteria (LAB) of the genus Lactobacillus. The presence of these microorganisms is significant due to their strong antibacterial and antifungal properties. This study aimed to select probiotic strains from the oral cavity and vagina that have outstanding antibacterial properties against typical genital pathogens of the female dog reproductive tract. Results The antagonistic activity of ten LAB strains was tested against seven etiological agents isolated from the genital tract of female dogs with signs of inflammation. LAB strains with the greatest ability to inhibit the growth of indicator bacteria were Lactobacillus plantarum and L. acidophilus, while L. fermentum and L. brevis strains inhibited growth the least. Almost all strains showed a complete lack of adherence to Caco-2 epithelial cells. Conclusions All tested LAB isolates inhibited the in vitro growth of either Gram-positive or Gram-negative pathogens, suggesting that potential probiotic strains could contribute to the balance of the normal vaginal microbiota. Furthermore, they could be considered for use as prophylactic agents or as an alternative to antibiotic therapy for infections in dogs.

Inflammatory diseases of reproductive system tract in bitches are a common problem in veterinary practice. The inflammation can lead to the serious health problems among which the most important are fertility disorders, embryos resorption and mortality, endometritis-pyometra syndrome and also disorders of urinary system. Research to determine the correlation between health status of females, phase of the cycle, age and bacterial flora of genital tract has been ongoing for years, but the results obtained by individual authors are often contradictory. An important aspect is the presence of probiotic bacteria in the female genital tract and the possible use of them in the prevention of inflammatory disorders. The aim of this paper was to gather the knowledge in this field and to present outcomes of current research projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SUMMARY: The present results are the effect of bioprospecting of an appropriate medium, which could optimize the quality and quantity of the microalga Pseudopiediastrum boryanum var. longicorne Reinsch biomass cultured in a laboratory photobioreactor for biosorption purposes. Four liquid media commonly used for cultivation of green algae of the genus Pediastrum were compared, including Knop's, Waris‐H, Chu's and L‐S2T2 media, which differed with respect to the composition and concentration of nutrients. A number of the parameters characterizing biomass growth, namely dry weight, optical density, chlorophyll a concentration, as well as morphological parameters characterizing the condition of the alga and its surface area indicating the potential sorption capacity (population structure, cell number, coenobium size and marginal cell size), showed a significant impact of culture medium on the growth of the microalga. The most productive culture was found in the L‐S2T2 medium containing organic substances in the form of peat and soil extracts, which could be crucial for biomass production and the area of potential sorption capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article focuses on a detailed morphological and molecular analysis of the microscopic green alga Pediastrum alternans as it exhibits ambiguous morphology, questionable phylogenetic position and scattered distribution. The species, originally described from lakes close to the Baltic Sea in Denmark, was recently renamed Pseudopediastrum alternans based on rDNA sequencing of one culture from Namibia. In the present study, the African culture was morphologically and genetically compared with a culture identified as Ps. alternans from a coastal lake from northern Poland and a culture of Ps. boryanum var. longicorne from southern Poland. Conventional measurements, statistical and geometric morphometric analyses of the number of cells in coenobia, cell shape and size and wall ornamentation showed significant differences in the morphology of the three cultures. The analyses supported the phylogenetic distinction of the cultures based on rDNA and chloroplast DNA sequencing. Cultures of Pseudopediastrum alternans from Africa and Poland were not monophyletic. The African culture was moderately supported in a clade that could potentially represent a new species of Pseudopediastrum; whereas, the Polish culture formed a distinct lineage that was sister to some Ps. boryanum strains. The third culture, identified as Ps. boryanum var. longicorne, was nested within Ps. boryanum, as expected based on its morphology. Additional morphological comparison between the cultures and the iconotype showed that the Polish culture fits the description of Ps. alternans; whereas, the African one is so different from the iconotype that it cannot be called Ps. alternans. Analysis of plasticity of the Polish culture showed that its morphology is rather stable under varying nutrient and salinity conditions, and the culture cannot be misidentified as other Pseudopediastrum species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]