LAUSR

Received: Revised: Accepted: Published online: February 12, 2020 May 16, 2020 May 17, 2020 June 15, 2020 Mycotic infections of reproductive tract did not receive much attention in the past. Fungi cause reproductive problems by invading or colonizing the reproductive tract which adversely affects the reproductive efficiency in cattle. Current study was designed to find out the prevalence of fungal pathogens from uterine samples of Sahiwal cattle and to perform antifungal susceptibility testing on the isolated fungal pathogens. For this purpose, a total of 144 uterine samples were collected and cultured on Sabouraud’s dextrose agar at 25C for two weeks. Fungi were identified based on the microscopic characteristic. The results showed that out of 144 samples, 4 were found positive making an overall prevalence of mycotic endometritis in Sahiwal cattle 2.8% in Faisalabad. Penicillium and Aspergillus species were the isolated fungal pathogens. The prevalence of mycotic endometritis was significantly higher in cattle having a history of reproductive problem (P-value=0.03). However, the association between mycotic endometritis, and managemental conditions, parity, herd size, body condition score, and the breeding method was statistically nonsignificant. The mean values of endometrial thickness in Sahiwal cattle suffering from mycotic endometritis was significantly higher (P-value=0.036) than nonendometritis cattle. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of Itraconazole (Rolac®) was 4.12 mg/ml against Aspergillus spp. and 8.6mg/ml against Penicillium spp. However, Fluconazole (Fungone®) was found resistant against both Aspergillus spp. and Penicillium spp. It is recommended that further studies should be undertaken to investigate the role and economic impact of fungal pathogens in the etiology of reproductive disorders that do not respond to antibiotic