Reproduction

Question 1

Stages of female estrous cycle

Answer 1

1. Proestrus
2. Estrus
3. Diestrus
4. Anestrus

Question 2

What hormone surges are released during proestrus?

Answer 2

FSH & LH
Follicle-stimulating hormone & Luteinizing hormone

Estrogen starts increasing

Male will be attracted to female, female is not receptive to mating yet.

Question 3

How long does proestrus last?

Answer 3

7-10 days

Question 4

What will you see on vaginal cytology during proestus?

Answer 4

Red blood cells, neutrophils, bacteria and superficial intermediate cells.

Question 5

What happens to vaginal discharge during the estrus state?

Answer 5

Some bloody discharge but will be decreasing.

Estrogen peaks and then drops off as follicles mature.

Female is now receptive as ovulation begins

Question 6

How long does the estrus stage last?

Answer 6

5-10 days

Question 7

What will you see on vaginal cytology during estrus?

Answer 7

Mostly superficial cells
Decreased WBC
No or decreasing RBC
Bacteria

Question 8

What is happening in diestrus?

Answer 8

Rising progesterone
Decreasing estrogen

In a resting phase now–

If pregnant, will stay in diestrus throughout the pregnancy.

If not pregnant will go into anestrus

Question 9

What will you see on vaginal cytology during diestrus?

Answer 9

Significant decrease in superficial cells
Parabasal intermediate cells
No RBC
Could be WBC and bacteria

Question 10

What happens in anestrus?

Answer 10

End of luteal phase. Not much happening.

Question 11

What kind of ovulators are cats?

Answer 11

Induced ovulators. The male must mate with the female to induce ovulation.

Also known as seasonally polyestrous. Can have a cycle every 2-4 weeks especially if outdoor cat.

Question 12

What hormone is released from the fetus to stimulate parturition?

Answer 12

Cortisol.

Cortisol releases estrogen secretion from the ovaries on day 45-60 of pregnancy.

Estrogen promotes prostaglandin release which decreases progesterone and increases prolactin (stimulating the let-down) which affects the corpus luteum (which maintains the pregnancy).

This will happen 24-48 hours before parturition.

Question 13

Gestational length in dog & cat

Answer 13

57 +/-3 days for dog
52-74 days for a cat