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This work was funded by INIA-GENOVIS (grant CON19-043-MGA), Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad, Spain (grant RTI-2018-096487-R-C33), and also has received financial support from Fondos FEDER.

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Calvo, Jorge HAuthor

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June 15, 2024
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Impact of oestrus synchronization devices on ewes vaginal microbiota and artificial insemination outcome

Publicated to:Frontiers In Microbiology. 14 1063807- - 2023-03-23 14(), DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1063807

Authors: Reinoso-Pelaez, Edgar L; Saura, Maria; Gonzalez-Recio, Oscar; Gonzalez, Carmen; Fernandez, Almudena; Peiro-Pastor, Ramon; Lopez-Garcia, Adrian; Saborio-Montero, Alejandro; Calvo, Jorge H; Ramon, Manuel; Serrano, Malena

Affiliations

Ctr Invest & Tecnol Agroalimentaria Aragon CITA A, Dept Ciencia Anim, Zaragoza, Spain - Author
Ctr Reg Selecc & Reprod Anim Castilla Mancha CERS, Dept Invest Reprod & Mejora Genet Anim, Valdepenas, Spain - Author
Inst Nacl Invest & Tecnol Agr & Alimentaria INIA, Dept Mejora Genet Anim, Madrid, Spain - Author
Univ Politecn Madrid, Escuela Tecn Super Ingn Agron Alimentaria & Biosi, Dept Prod Agr, Madrid, Spain - Author

Abstract

IntroductionThe low pregnancy rate by artificial insemination in sheep represents a fundamental challenge for breeding programs. In this species, oestrus synchronization is carried out by manipulating hormonal regimens through the insertion of progestogen intravaginal devices. This reproductive strategy may alter the vaginal microbiota affecting the artificial insemination outcome. MethodsIn this study, we analyzed the vaginal microbiome of 94 vaginal swabs collected from 47 ewes with alternative treatments applied to the progesterone-releasing intravaginal devices (probiotic, maltodextrin, antibiotic and control), in two sample periods (before placing and after removing the devices). To our knowledge, this is the first study using nanopore-based metagenome sequencing for vaginal microbiome characterization in livestock. ResultsOur results revealed a significant lower abundance of the genera Oenococcus (Firmicutes) and Neisseria (Proteobacteria) in pregnant compared to non-pregnant ewes. We also detected a significant lower abundance of Campylobacter in the group of samples treated with the probiotic. DiscussionAlthough the use of probiotics represents a promising practice to improve insemination results, the election of the suitable species and concentration requires further investigation. In addition, the use of progestogen in the synchronization devices seemed to increase the alpha-diversity and decrease the abundance of harmful microorganisms belonging to Gammaproteobacteria and Fusobacteriia classes, suggesting a beneficial effect of their use.

Keywords

Artificial inseminationBacteriaCombinationDiseaseDiversityFertilityInfectionMetagenomeMicrobiomMicrobiomeNanoporeOvinePregnancyProtocoR-packageReproductionSheepSmc proteinsVaginal microbiota

Quality index

Bibliometric impact. Analysis of the contribution and dissemination channel

The work has been published in the journal Frontiers In Microbiology due to its progression and the good impact it has achieved in recent years, according to the agency Scopus (SJR), it has become a reference in its field. In the year of publication of the work, 2023, it was in position , thus managing to position itself as a Q1 (Primer Cuartil), in the category Microbiology.

From a relative perspective, and based on the normalized impact indicator calculated from World Citations provided by WoS (ESI, Clarivate), it yields a value for the citation normalization relative to the expected citation rate of: 1.95. This indicates that, compared to works in the same discipline and in the same year of publication, it ranks as a work cited above average. (source consulted: ESI Nov 14, 2024)

This information is reinforced by other indicators of the same type, which, although dynamic over time and dependent on the set of average global citations at the time of their calculation, consistently position the work at some point among the top 50% most cited in its field:

  • Weighted Average of Normalized Impact by the Scopus agency: 1.82 (source consulted: FECYT Feb 2024)
  • Field Citation Ratio (FCR) from Dimensions: 4.36 (source consulted: Dimensions Jul 2025)

Specifically, and according to different indexing agencies, this work has accumulated citations as of 2025-07-16, the following number of citations:

  • WoS: 10
  • Scopus: 12
  • Europe PMC: 7
  • Google Scholar: 3

Impact and social visibility

From the perspective of influence or social adoption, and based on metrics associated with mentions and interactions provided by agencies specializing in calculating the so-called "Alternative or Social Metrics," we can highlight as of 2025-07-16:

  • The use, from an academic perspective evidenced by the Altmetric agency indicator referring to aggregations made by the personal bibliographic manager Mendeley, gives us a total of: 31.
  • The use of this contribution in bookmarks, code forks, additions to favorite lists for recurrent reading, as well as general views, indicates that someone is using the publication as a basis for their current work. This may be a notable indicator of future more formal and academic citations. This claim is supported by the result of the "Capture" indicator, which yields a total of: 38 (PlumX).

With a more dissemination-oriented intent and targeting more general audiences, we can observe other more global scores such as:

  • The Total Score from Altmetric: 4.2.
  • The number of mentions on the social network X (formerly Twitter): 8 (Altmetric).

It is essential to present evidence supporting full alignment with institutional principles and guidelines on Open Science and the Conservation and Dissemination of Intellectual Heritage. A clear example of this is:

  • The work has been submitted to a journal whose editorial policy allows open Open Access publication.
  • Assignment of a Handle/URN as an identifier within the deposit in the Institutional Repository: http://hdl.handle.net/10532/6497