Estrus

Article By:

Tyler, Albert Formerly, Division of Biology, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California.

Hamilton, Howard L. Department of Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia.

Last reviewed:December 2019

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1036/1097-8542.242700

The period in mammals during which the female ovulates and is receptive to mating. It is commonly referred to as rut or heat. From one estrus period to the next there occurs a series of changes, particularly in the ovary, uterus and vagina, termed the estrous cycle. With reference to the ovary, the cycle can be divided into a follicular phase, during which the Graffian follicles are ripening and a luteal phase, during which the corpora lutea develop in the ovulated follicles. During these two phases mainly estrogen and progesterone, respectively, are secreted and these hormones control the uterine and vaginal changes. The beginning of the follicular phase is termed proestrus and the luteal phase metestrus. Following the latter, there is a period of relatively little change, termed diestrus. In species in which the latter is prolonged, it is termed anestrus.

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