Bacteriologic studies of bovine genital tracts: The use of dye as an indicator of postmortem contamination of the uterus by vaginal fluids

Non-specific bacteria were more frequently isolated from uteri of culled dairy cattle than beef cows (P <.01). In some studies, food dye was placed in the vagina just prior to slaughter as an indicator of postmortem contamination of the uterus by vaginal fluids and bacteria. The dye was more often found in the uteri of dairy cows than beef cows (P <0.05).Bacteria could always be isolated from uteri totally contaminated by the dye. Bacteria were more frequently isolated from uncontaminated areas of uteri that were partially contaminated by the dye, as compared to uteri in which no dye was found (P <.01).It is hypothesized that an enlarged cervical canal may allow dye and also bacteria to transverse the cervical canal into the uterus during the slaughtering process. It is further hypothesized that an enlarged cervical canal may more readily permit nonspecific bacteria of the vagina to ascend into the uterus in the live animal and cause reproductive failure.