Influence of menstrual cycle stages on normal microbial flora of the reproductive tract in female baboons (Papio species)

Abstract

Qualitative and quantitative studies in humans as well as animal model studies have confirmed that the vaginal flora is a dynamic and closely interrelated system. Detailed studies on the effects of the phase of the menstrual cycle which depends on the levels of reproductive hormones, on the vaginal microbial flora are lacking, and there have been no studies on non-human primates, which are considered to be appropriate models for human studies, In this study, the effect of phase of the menstrual on normal vaginal flora was investigated in 59 baboons of reproductive age. Vaginal swabs were obtained once from each animal and cultured on appropriate media for bacterial growth. Identification of bacteria was done on the basis oxygen utilization, culture media, morphology, Gram stain and biochemical reactions. Many facultative aerobes and anaerobes were identified. Twenty-six different bacterial species were isolated and identified from the olive baboons, and fifteen from the yellow baboons.