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Biology of Reproduction, Vol 21, 953-963, Copyright © 1979 by Society for the Study of Reproduction
Concentrations in Plasma: Relation to
Estrous Behavior and Cornification of
Exfoliated Vaginal Epithelium
1 Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics,
Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences,
Uppsala, Sweden Follicular function was estimated by radioimmunoassay of estradiol-17 Proestrus was not observed with regularity and was seen in only 27/168 cycles, averaging 1.2
days (SD = 0.8). Duration of estrous behavior without regard for coitus was 7.4 days (SD = 3.7; n =
168; range 2-19 days). Duration of estrus in cats that experienced coitus and ovulation was 8.6
days (SD = 4.1; n = 32), in those that had coital contact but failed to ovulate, it was 8.3 days (SD =
4.3; n = 43), but in those without coital contact, it was 6.2 days (SD = 2.9; n = 93) (coitus vs no
coitus, P<0.01). Estrous behavior was seen in 8, 36, 52, 80 and 85% of cats on follicular phase
Days 1-5, respectively. All cats were in estrus by follicular phase Day 6. The interval between
estrous periods was 9.0 days (SD 7.6; n = 162; range 4-22 days) if ovulation did not occur.
Ovulation and the subsequent pseudopregnancy prolonged return to estrus for 45.0 days (SD =
10.3; n = 32). No conspicuous changes in size and appearance of external genitalia were observed. Clearing of
the vaginal smear (absence of noncellular debris) was the earliest sign of follicular activity. Vaginal
epithelial changes were characterized as follows: Anuclear cells (fully cornified) increased from
2 Department of Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine,
University of California,
Davis, California 95616
in jugular vein plasma
of female cats. The mean base level of estradiol-17 in plasma was 11.7 pg/ml (SD = 4.8; n = 106).
The follicular phase, defined as the time interval when estradiol-17 levels were >20 pg/ml plasma,
was 7.4 days (SD = 2.3; n = 108), range 3-16 days. The duration of follicular function was not
affected by the occurrence of coitus or ovulation. Estradiol-17 fell from peak levels to <20
pg/ml plasma within a mean of 2.6 days (SD = 1.1; n = 105). The interval between follicular phases
was 8.1 days (SD = 3.1; n = 41), ranging from 3-15 days.
5% to 40% of total cell population and intermediate cells (partially cornified with intact
nucleus) decreased from 45% to 6% progressively from the first to the fourth day of the follicular
phase; parabasal cells (noncornified), generally low throughout a cycle (1-6%), were absent on
follicular phase Days 4-7 and the following day; superficial cells (partially cornified with signs of
degeneration of the nucleus) did not change much during the cycle (range, 40-50%) except for a
slight increase during the follicular phase (range, 50-60%).
Note:
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The authors wish to thank Dr. Lorraine Rose, Ms.
Liz Greenlees and Ms. Sharon Zito for indispensable
technical assistance.
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