Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 31, 2026

Rodent Estrous Cycle Monitoring Utilizing Vaginal Lavage: No Such Thing As a Normal Cycle
Published on: August 30, 2021
Determining the Stage of the Estrous Cycle in Female Mice by Vaginal Smear
Abstract:
Female mice undergo a 3- to 5-d, hormonally controlled estrous cycle. The estrous cycle is divided into different stages, including diestrus, proestrus, estrus, and metestrus. These stages can easily be determined by examining washes or cell smears of the vagina. Determining the stage of the estrous cycle may be important for setting up matings, identifying receptive females for artificial insemination, and analyzing phenotypes of the female reproductive tract.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
The Angiosperm Life Cycle
Infertility in Females
Endometriosis, a condition characterized by abnormal growth of...
External Female Genitals
Disorders of the Female Reproductive System
What are Biogeochemical Cycles?
The Water Cycle

