estrous cycle

[ es-truhs sahy-kuhl ]

noun

, Zoology.

1. a series of physiological changes in sexual and other organs of most female mammals, extending from one period of heat to the next and accompanied by behavioral changes indicating interest in mating.

estrous cycle

/ ĕs′trəs /

1. The series of changes that occur in the female of most mammals from one period of estrus to another. The estrous cycle usually takes place during the period known as the breeding season, which ensures that young are born at a time when the chance of survival is greatest. The length of the cycle varies from species to species.

Word History and Origins

Origin of estrous cycle¹

First recorded in 1895–1900

Example Sentences

This process is similar in other female mammals, where it is called the estrous cycle.

From Science Daily

A team led by Ângela Gonçalves and Duncan Odom, both DKFZ, has now systematically investigated the changes in gene activity and morphology in each phase of the estrous cycle in all affected organs in mice -- at the level of individual cells and at spatial resolution.

From Science Daily

They were able to test this hypothesis directly by switching off the estrous cycle with drugs.

From Science Daily

The rats were still fertile, but they had a longer estrous cycle, lower ovarian weight, and fewer pups than normal rats.

From Science Daily

But the estrous cycle has little to do with how female mice behave, according to a new study that used machine-learning software to track the second-to-second behavior of animals exploring an open space.

From New York Times