CHARACTERIZATION OF ESTROUS CYCLE PHASES IN RATS (Rattus norvegicus) BY VAGINAL SMEAR.

The determination of the estrous cycle in animals is important for studies of neuroendocrine function. The objective was to provide the researchers with the morphological characteristics of each phase of the estrous cycle in rats in. Proestrus is characterized by the predominance of a large number of round nucleated globular cells; in the estrus has identification of anucleated and conified epithelial cells; the next phase metaestrus has an equivalent proportion of nucleated and anucleated epithelial cells. The last phase is characterized by thin vaginal mucosa with predominance of leukocyte cells and presence of nucleated and round cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]