Vaginal cytology changes during estrus period of the clinical healthy bitches

Abstract

In particular periods of the year the bitches exhibit 1-2 estruses. This frequency depends on specific factors like breed, management conditions ant etc. The sexual cycle of bitches composed of proestrus, estrus, metestrus and anestrus stages. The increased concentration of estrogen during the proestrus period vauses the vaginal epithelium proliferation and cornification. Vaginal cytology changes are very useful to determine canine estrus cycle stages and ovulation time. Vaginal cytology is a simple and inexpensive procedure that allows us to determine the stage of the reproductive cycle and ovulation time in bitches. Investigations were carried out 2011-2012 years. The aim of this study was to determine vaginal cytology changes during different stages of the sexual cycle of the clinical healthy bitches. A total of 15 (5 small breeds, 5 medium breeds and 5 large breeds) clinical healthy bitches, belonging to different breeders and owners, have been examined. Only sexual mature bitches were used in this study. [...].