EFFECT OF FLUOROGESTERONE ACETATE IMPREGNATED INTRAVAGINAL SPONGES ON VAGINAL BACTERIAL FLORA OF EWES.

Abstract

The bacterial flora of the vagina of ten ewes was determined at sponge removal and two days later before insertion of fluorogesterone acetate intravaginal sponge. Using E. coli as a marker to species, there was a significant increase (P<0.05) in bacterial population when samples taken before sponge insertion and at removal were compared, but there was a significant (P<0.01) decrease in bacterial population when samples taken at sponge removal were season in Hertfordshire, England were compared to samples taken two days later. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) when bacterial population before the sponge insertion was compared with the bacterial population two days after sponge removal. It is concluded that following use of fluorogesterone acetate intravaginal pessaries (and injection of PMSG at sponge removal), there is increased bacterial growth in the vagina which is largely the eliminated two days after sponge removal.