Aim: uterine swabs must be collected for detection of:

-         Venereal disease control.

-          Identification of infected/carrier mares.

-        Optimize reproductive efficiency.

-        Satisfy industry pre-breeding requirements.

    Technique

           A guarded, sterile swab is used to obtain samples for uterine culture. With the mare in stocks, the tail bandage and the perineum washed, the culture rod is introduced into the vagina with a gloved hand. After the rod is guided through the cervix, the guard cap is dislodged and the swab is rubbed along the endometrium, after which the rod is extracted. Samples for uterine culture should only be obtained during full estrus. Swabs should be directly plated onto agar within 2 hours of collection.