estrous cycle

American  

[es-truhs sahy-kuhl] / ˈɛs trəs ˌsaɪ kəl /

especially British, oestrous cycle

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.

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estrous cycle Scientific  

/ 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.

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Etymology

Origin of estrous cycle

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 • Feb. 7, 2024

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

From Science Daily • Dec. 22, 2023

The estrous cycle of the females showed a very weak effect on their behavior, the researchers found.

From New York Times • Mar. 7, 2023

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

This is Nature�s plan, as whitetail does have a roughly 28-day estrous cycle.

From Time Magazine Archive