The role of bacteria in canine reproductive tract health and disease is crucial: a balanced microbiota is important for fertility, pregnancy and newborns’ health. Bacteria are involved in many reproductive pathologies of dogs, especially pyometra, but also in zoonotic infections such as brucellosis; the main cause of neonatal mortality in dogs is bacterial septicaemia. Research into the normal reproductive microbiota of dogs and the many factors that can act as disruptors is just at the beginning/ is still in its infancy. The use of antimicrobials has a major impact on the bacterial flora of the reproductive tract, altering the population structure, and transforming symbiotic microorganisms into opportunistic pathogens.

The goal of this research is to investigate the relationship between bacteria/bacteria communities and canine reproduction. In recent years, new genomic methods have profoundly changed the approach to the study of bacterial flora. Traditional culture represents the standard method for identifying pathogens and assessing their sensitivity to antimicrobials. Few studies exist that describe the healthy microbiota of the reproductive tract of male and female dogs using a genomic approach, and even fewer that examine the effects of external factors that can perturbate bacterial populations’ balance. This knowledge would represent a valuable aid for correctly interpreting the clinical condition. More traditionally, two other aspects of the relationship between bacteria and canine reproduction that need to be updated are investigations on the true pathogens of the canine reproductive tract and on the epidemiology of potentially zoonotic bacteria.

The focus of this research is on the relationship between bacteria/bacterial communities and canine reproduction, addressing any of the following aspects:

1. the healthy microbiota of the reproductive tract and the effect of external factors (antimicrobials, supplements…) on it

2. the healthy microbiota of the pregnant dam, during pregnancy, at parturition, in the postpartum period

3. the microbiota of puppies at birth and shaping of the microbiota

4. relationship between dam and litter microbiota

5. reproductive microbiota in pathological conditions.

6. development of strategies to mitigate perturbations of the bacterial populations inhabiting the reproductive tract of dogs

7. reproductive pathogens of dogs

When speaking of microbiota, a genomic approach is mandatory.

We welcome a wide range of contributions, including both basic/field research and clinical cases.

For this Research Topic, we favour Original Research, Clinical cases, Perspective, Methods, Systematic Review.

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Frontiers in Veterinary Science

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