Estrous Cycle in Bitch

Behavior Physical changes Hormonal activity Cytological

Changes
Microscopic Appearance

P
r
o
e
s
t
r
o
u
s



This stage is ch
by attraction of
male dogs to the
bitch.

She does not
allow the males
to mount her.

Vulva is swollen.

Serosanguineous
vulvar discharge (due
to diapedesis of RBCs
from Uterus).

9 days.


Follicular development
causes a gradual increase
in serum Estrogen (peaks
2-3 days before estrous
and then rapidly declines
during estrous)
Progesterone conc. in
serum most of proestrous
less than 2 ng/ml

Early proestrous
[intermediate
and parabasal
cells].
Late proestrous
[80 % superficial
cornified cells
due to Estrogen
effect].




















E
s
t
r
o
u
s




This stage is ch
by the bitch
allowing the
male to mount
her and standing
to be bred.



Vulva is flaccid

Vulvar discharge
often is straw-
colored.

Some bitches may
continue to have
blood-tinged
discharge throughout
estrous.

9 days.
Estrous begins at
approximately the time of
LH surge (24 48 hrs).
LH surge occurs after
maturation of preovulatory
follicles.
Ovulation of a primary
oocyte occurs 2 days after
the LH surge.
LH surge is coincident with
decline in Estrogen and a
rise in progesterone.
Progesterone conc. at the
LH surge are generally
2 3 ng/ml.
Progesterone conc.
continue to rise reaching
4 10 ng/ml at ovulation.






Predominance
of anucleate
superficial cells
[greater than
90% superficial
cornified cells].











Behavior Physical changes Hormonal activity Cytological
Changes
Microscopic Appearance









D
i
e
s
t
r
o
u
s





The bitch will no
longer stand to
be mounted
(refuses male)




The vulva is no
longer swollen.



58 days.







Serum Progesterone
remains elevated
throughout diestrous


Decline in
superficial cells
and
reappearance of
intermediate
and parabasal
cells [shift from
full cornification
to 40 60%
parabasal and
intermediate
cells].










A
n
e
s
t
r
o
u
s




No specific
behavior


Uterine involution
occurs
[Involution requires 70
days in the non-
pregnant bitch and 90
day in the postpartum
bitch].

70 90 days.


Progesterone
concentrations decrease
just before parturition or
gradually after Corpus
Luteum (CL) regression in
the non-pregnant bitch.


Intermediate
and parabasal
cells
predominate in
smears taken
during
anestrous.