Uterine culture is a common diagnostic test performed on mares to assess uterine health.

This diagnostic is often recommended or required before breeding to identify infections that might reduce fertility or, in cases of natural service, infect a stallion. It is regularly used in conjunction with a uterine cytology, which helps to define the significance of a culture result.

This procedure involves sterile technique, wherein a cotton swab is passed through the cervix and into the uterus. It is rolled around to collect cells and removed. The swab is then laid out on specific bacterial growth plates in a microbiologic lab and cultured for bacterial growth. The organism(s) on the swab is grown and identified.

Sensitivity: These bacterial growths are then exposed to the common antibiotics to determine their susceptibility to those antibiotics.