PROBIOTIC PROPERTIES OF VAGINAL LACTIC ACID BACTERIA SELECTED FOR HARMONIZATION OF MICROENVIRONMENT OF REPRODUCTIVE APPARATUS

The aim of this study was isolation and screening of probiotic properties of Lactobacillus strains isolated from the vagina of heifers and cows with healthy reproductive apparatus. Initially tested properties were low pH tolerance, growth at different temperature, autoaggregation, fast growth and acid production. Strains were further tested for adherence to vaginal mucus. Negative selection was used and strains that did not meet tested criterion were excluded. From 244 samples taken from 122 heifers and cows were selected six strains of different taxa. Selected and identified were strains L. buchneri 5/K, L. buchneri 24S8, L. mucosae 29S8, L. mucosae 9/K and L. mucosae BiocenolTM 7697. These strains showed different biochemical properties also within a taxon and exhibited differences in the quantification of selection criteria. Further evaluation of the selected strain properties will be performed to consider their inclusion in a probiotic for local use in reproductive apparatus.