Microbial Flora Observed within Sections of the Oviduct in Naturally Mated, Artificially Inseminated, and Virgin Hens

Eighteen 36-week old broiler breeder hens were used to determine the extent and type of bacteria present in the oviduct of the hen. These were randomly assigned to three equal groups to be treated as virgin, naturally mated, or artificially inseminated hens. Treatments were applied for approximately 2 weeks. The oviducts were excised and four sections (vagina, uterus, isthmus, and magnum) were separated with the aid of hemostats. Sterile saline was injected into each section. Each section was agitated, an aliquot withdrawn, and streak plated on nutrient, MacConkey, chocolate, and blood agar plates. Bacterial identifications were made. Staphylococcus spp. was the predominate genus in the virgin group. Staphylococcus spp., Streptococcus spp., Proteus spp., and Escherichia Coli were the major bacteria found in naturally mated hens. Staphylococcus spp. and diphtheroid bacilli were the major microbes found in artificially inseminated hens with Proteus spp., E. coli, Enterobacter spp., and some nonfermenting gram-negative rods isolated. Coliform bacteria were more numerous in naturally mated hens when compared to other treatments. Artificial insemination does not appear to introduce more types or numbers of bacteria into the oviduct than does natural mating.