Lactic Acid bacteria as probiotic in the prevention of reproductive diseases

MARIA ELENA NADER-MACIAS; MARIA CLAUDIA OTERO

The use of probiotics and prebiotics in the animal productios, with special interest in the monogastric, polygastric and fishes

Research Signpost

Lugar: Kerala, India; Año: 2008; p. 1 - 58

A.  ECOPHISIOLOGY OF THE BOVINE REPRODUCTIVE TRACT (BRT). A.1. Anatomy, histology and physiology. A.1.1. Oviducts. A.1.2. Uterus. A.1.3. Cervix. A.1.4. Vagina.                   A.1.5. Endocrine influences on the BRT.                A.1.5.1. Growth and Estrus Cycle.                A.1.5.2. Peripartum period.                A.1.5.3. Physiological composition of the uterine-vaginal environment. A.2. Microflora of the bovine reproductive tract.    A.2.1. Modifications in the vaginal microflora during the growth.    A.2.2. Modifications during the estrous cycle.    A.2.3. Uterine bacterial changes during peripartum. A.3. Natural defense mechanisms of the reproductive female bovine system. A.3.1. Innate immune defenses mechanisms.  A.3.2. Mucosal immune system. A.3.3. Specific immune defenses mechanisms of the Bovine Tract. A.3.4. Hormonal influence and immune status. B.  INFECTIONS IN THE BOVINE REPRODUCTIVE TRACT          B.1. Venereal infection.          B.2. Postpartum infections.          B.3. Factors that predispose to infection in BRT.          B.4. Prevalence of infection on the BRT. Economic implications.          B.5. Conventional Therapies.          B.6. Alternative therapies. C. APPLICATION OF THE CONCEPT OF PROBIOTICS IN THE UROGENITAL TRACT. MECHANISMS INVOLVED.  C.1. Probiotics. Definition. C.2. Beneficial effects of the administration of lactic acid bacteria at the urogenital tract. C.3. Mechanisms of action of urogenital probiotic microorganisms or products. C.3.1. Adhesion to epithelial cells and colonization capability. C.3.2. Biofilm Formation. C.3.3. Biosurfactanct production. C.3.4. Aggregation and co-aggregation. C.3.5. Competitive exclusion. C.3.6. Production of antagonistic substances.          C.3.6.1.Organic acids.          C.3.6.2.Hydrogen peroxide.          C.3.6.3.Bacteriocin production. C.3.7. Competition of nutrients. C.3.8. Enzymes production. C.3.9. Immune system stimulation. D.FUNCTIONAL AND TECHNOLOGICAL PROPERTIES.  D.1. General characteristics: Origin, identification and safety considerations. D.2. Functional characterization. D.3. Resistance to envirommental conditions. D.4. Specific technological characteristics. D.4.1. Optimal conditions for the growth of potentially probiotic microorganisms. D.4.2. Conditions of storage and viability of probiotic microorganisms. D.4.3. Formulation and shelf life of the probiotic product. D.5. Animal trials. E. PROYECCIONS. FUTURE DIRECTIONS. E.1. Lactobacillus as vaccine vectors. E.2. Anti tumoral effect of Lactobacillus in the urogenital tract. E.3. Effect on B group infections. E.4. Possibilities to avoid E. coli O157 H7 spread. E.5. Effect of peptides, vitamins, ions, antioxidants, and complementation with prebiotics. E.6. Potencial application/Gaps. E.7. Looking at the future. Perspectives. F. CONCLUSSIONS G. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS