CARTATM Microbiome Kit
This procedure must only be performed on mares that are confirmed to NOT be pregnant. If you are unsure of your mare's reproductive status, consult your veterinarian before proceeding. FOR EXTERNAL USE ONLY. Do not drink, touch, or remove the reagent from the vial. If reagent contacts skin: wash with soap and water. If it contacts eyes: flush immediately with water. If the vial is spilled or visibly damaged, do not use it — contact Metaboly for a replacement kit.
Your kit contains a sterile swab and a pre-filled DNA/RNA Shield™ Collection Vial. Once the swab sample is placed into the vial, the preservation reagent immediately stabilizes microbial DNA and RNA, halting bacterial growth and community shifts. The sample is then stable at room temperature during transit — no ice pack or refrigeration is needed.
The equine reproductive tract harbours a distinct and dynamic microbial community. The vaginal and vestibular microbiome plays a role in reproductive health, resistance to pathogens, and the broader physiological state of the mare. Research has demonstrated that the composition of this community differs meaningfully between healthy mares and those experiencing reproductive or systemic challenges — making microbiome analysis a valuable tool across a wide range of clinical and management contexts.
This collection samples the vestibule and caudal vagina only — the accessible outer portion of the reproductive tract. It is a low-risk, non-invasive procedure that does not require veterinary instrumentation or sedation in most mares. The procedure is comparable in scope to a routine perineal examination, and the majority of mares tolerate it well when approached calmly and with adequate preparation.
Best timing: Where possible, collect during estrus (when the mare is in heat). During estrus the cervix is relaxed, the vulvar lips are softer and more easily parted, and vaginal secretions are more abundant, yielding a richer and more representative microbiome sample. That said, collection at any stage of the reproductive cycle is acceptable and will produce interpretable results. If your mare's cycle is unknown or irregular, proceed with collection regardless.
Handler safety: Always approach the mare's hindquarters with caution. Position yourself to the side — not directly behind — when possible. For mares known to be nervous, reactive, or sensitive to handling near the hindquarters, a second handler holding the mare by the lead rope from the opposite side is strongly recommended. If the mare cannot be safely approached, do not attempt collection — contact your veterinarian.
Kit storage: Keep the unopened kit at 5–25°C until use. Do not use if the vial is visibly cracked or the seal is compromised.
Questions about collection? Contact us before submitting your sample. Reach out here →