estrous

American  

[es-truhs] / ˈɛs trəs /

adjective

Zoology.

1. relating to or involving the period of maximum sexual receptivity of a female mammal.

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Etymology

Origin of estrous

First recorded in 1895–1900; see origin at oestrous

Example Sentences

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

From Science Daily • Feb. 7, 2024

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 • Mar. 7, 2023

There are, however, male dogs that show a lifelong indifference to estrous females and never have heterosexual sex.

From Slate • Feb. 1, 2013

At the sanctuary, they presented sixteen adult female koalas while they were in estrous with auditory playback of bellows recorded from five different males.

From Scientific American • Dec. 6, 2012

The result fits with previous studies which found that mice with mutations in genes that regulate their circadian rhythms, the body's timekeeper, have irregular estrous cycles and more pregnancy failures.

From Science Magazine • May 23, 2012