Rodent Estrous Cycle
Rodent Estrous Cycle - Related Videos
09:05
Rodent Estrous Cycle Monitoring Utilizing Vaginal Lavage: No Such Thing As a Normal Cycle
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Cited by 16 •
2021
This study details the crucial factors to consider in experimental designs involving female rats. In a larger sense, these data serve to decrease stigma and assist in the development of more inclusive diagnostic and intervention tools.
07:07
Lung microRNA Profiling Across the Estrous Cycle in Ozone-exposed Mice
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Cited by 9 •
2019
Here we describe a method to assess lung expression of miRNAs that are predicted to regulate inflammatory genes using mice exposed to ozone or filtered air at different stages of the estrous cycle.
09:01
Performing Vaginal Lavage, Crystal Violet Staining, and Vaginal Cytological Evaluation for Mouse Estrous Cycle Staging Identification
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Cited by 673 •
2012
Here, we describe how to identify the stage of the murine reproductive (proestrus, estrus, metestrus, or diestrus) by simple, non-invasive collection and cytological assessment of vaginal smear samples. We further describe how vaginal cytology reflects circulating hormonal levels underlying transition through the murine reproductive cycle.
09:32
Cell Cycle Analysis
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2023
Cell cycle refers to the set of events through which a cell grows, replicates its genome, and ultimately divides into two daughter cells through the process of mitosis. Because the amount of DNA in a cell shows characteristic changes throughout the cycle, techniques known as cell cycle analysis can be used to separate a population of cells according to the different phases of cell cycle they are in, based on their varying DNA content.This video will cover the principles behind cell cycle...
12:13
Considerations for Rodent Surgery
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2016
Source: Kay Stewart, RVT, RLATG, CMAR; Valerie A. Schroeder, RVT, RLATG. University of Notre Dame, IN The Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals1 dictates that rodent survival surgery be performed aseptically. Aseptic technique utilizes specific practices that minimize the contamination of the surgical site, including patient preparation, surgeon preparation, sterilization of instruments and other supplies, and the use of a clean and controlled environment. Presurgical planning,...
FAQs
The hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and ovaries function as a connected signaling system. Their coordination regulates ovarian hormone production rather than allowing each organ to act independently. As estrogen and progesterone levels change, they establish the endocrine context for transitions among proestrus, estrus, metestrus, and diestrus, making each stage part of an integrated reproductive process.
Changing estrogen and progesterone levels help drive the characteristic stages of the cycle and connect ovarian activity with reproductive events. Their patterns provide biological context for assessing readiness for ovulation, mating, or potential pregnancy. Monitoring these hormones can therefore complement stage identification and help researchers relate reproductive timing to broader endocrine changes.
Assigning an animal to a named stage creates a time-specific framework for interpreting reproductive biology. The four stages organize recurring changes into a sequence that can be compared with ovulation, mating, pregnancy, hormone patterns, or experimental interventions. Without stage information, findings from different reproductive states may be difficult to interpret consistently.
Researchers identify cycle stages primarily through vaginal cytology, which provides a practical way to classify the reproductive state at a given time. They may also monitor reproductive behavior or hormone patterns as additional indicators. Using these observations helps align experimental measurements with cycle timing and supports more consistent interpretation of reproductive outcomes.
Vaginal cytology identifies the cycle stage, while reproductive behavior and hormone patterns provide complementary evidence about the animal's reproductive state. Considering these signals together can help researchers relate a stage assignment to endocrine activity or mating-related changes. This is especially useful when studies examine timing rather than a single reproductive measurement.
Cycle timing is particularly relevant in studies of fertility, pregnancy, and reproductive endocrinology. It also matters when researchers investigate development, physiology, disease, or drug effects, because reproductive state can provide essential context for interpreting observations. Tracking the cycle allows experimental results to be related to the animal's changing reproductive condition.
Monitoring female reproductive stage helps distinguish effects associated with cycle timing from broader sex-related biological differences. This context is valuable in research on physiology, disease, development, and drug effects, where reproductive hormones may be relevant to the outcome. Recording stage information therefore strengthens interpretation of variation in laboratory studies involving female rodents.