In vitro assessment of probiotic properties of lactic acid bacteria isolated from vaginas of healthy cows

The present study was conducted to isolate lactic acid bacteria (LAB) from vaginas of cows and evaluate their properties as probiotics. Forty-seven LAB strains were isolated from the vagina of cows using MRS agar and then their antibacterial effects were evaluated using Oxford cup method. Four strains (LAB1, LAB3, LAB5 and LAB9)demonstrating antibacterial activity were identified as Weissella confusa, Enterococcus hirae, Leuconostoc lactis and Ilyobacter polytropus, respectively.The results showed that the rank of hydrophobicity and adherence ability from largest to smallest was LAB9, LAB5, LAB3 and LAB1, respectively. Results of different combinations of the four LAB strains showed that LAB1+LAB3expressed higher adherence ability than other combinations (p£0.05); and LAB1+LAB9 had higher antibacterial activity than other combinations(p£0.05). Results of the present study provide essential information for developing probiotic product to prevent and treat reproductive tract infections of cows.