QUANTITATIVE ALTERATIONS OF THE AEROBIC BACTERIAL FLORA OF THE POUCH OF <i>SETONIX BRACHYURUS</i> (QUOKKA) DURING OESTRUS, ANOESTRUS, PREGNANCY AND LACTATING ANOESTRUS (POUCH YOUNG)

Abstract

Summary Quantitative and qualitative differences have been shown in the bacterial flora of the pouch of quokkas in different sexual stales. Oestrus was characterised by high numbers of Gram‐negative bacilli (GNB), and during non‐lactating anoestrus a predominantly Gram‐positive flora was found. Faecal contamination from the pouch young is the probable source of enteric organisms isolated from animals in lactating anoestrus. A marked selective decrease in Gram‐negative flora occurred during the gestation period until GNB were virtually non‐existent in the pouch prior to birth.