Estrus cycles and changes of vaginal cytology in

Estrus cycles and changes of vaginal cytology in gerbils Galina Vakhrusheva, Olga Ilchenko Moscow zoo Photo by Klaus Rudloff

Sexual cycle - the whole complex of changes which takes place in female reproductive system and forms a complete period. Sexual cycle in a female Ovarian cycle is determined by development of ovarian follicles Vaginal cycle is determined by changes of vaginal epithelium 2

Stages of estrus cycle in gerbils estrus proestrus metoestrus diestrus 3

Meriones unguiculatus a model species of our researches 4

Cell types in vaginal smears of Meriones unguiculatus Epithelial cells Х 80 Cornified cells Leucocytes 5

Vaginal pictures of 4 main cycle stages of M. unguiculatus 6 5 proestrus 5 4 7 3 2 8 1 diestrus 1 9 10 19 11 13 estrus 17 metoestrus 12 18 13 17 16 15 14 6

Changes of vaginal cytology during Meriones unguiculatus estrus cycle 65 Proestrus 4 Late diestrus-proestrus 6 Early proestrus-estrus 4 7 Early 3 Early diestrus-proestrus 7 proestrus-estrus 2 Diestrus 5 3 2 8 8 Early proestrus-estrus 1 diestrus 1 19 9 9 Middle proestrus-estrus 18 Metoestrus-diestrus 19 Late metoestrus-diestrus 10 Proestrus-estrus 17 Metoestrus 16 Metoestrus 11 Late proestrus-estrus 14 Estrus-metoestrus 15 Metoestrus 13 Estrus 12 Late proestrus-estrus 10 11 12 18 13 17 16 15 14 7

Vaginal smear of sexually receptive female of M. unguiculatus proestrus 6 5 4 7 3 2 8 diestrus middle proestrus - estrus 1 9 10 19 11 metoestrus 12 13 17 16 15 14 8

Practical recommendations 1. Analysis of native preparations in everyday work. 2. Identification of cells according to their size and outline (low magnification). 3. Presence of single and occasional cells is immaterial. 4. Inflammatory processes distort the picture. 5. Regular taking of smears may affect the length of cycles. 6. Questionable slides should be described in details and the stage should be determined the next day. 7. The results can be represented in graphs. Graphic presentation of estrus cycles. estrus proestrus / metoestrus diestrus closed vagina days 9

Meriones persicus Formation of a reproductive pair is possible only when female is in proestrus-estrus. Partners need long previous familiarisation period. Otherwise introduction will lead to strong aggression in this pair. 10

Meriones tamariscinus Reproductive pair is to be formed when female is in late proestrus-estrus stage. If the moment is determined inexactly one of the partners will show agonistic behaviour. Vaginal smear of a receptive female of M. tamariscinus 11

Desmodillus auricularis When female is in late proestrus-estrus it is possible to pair her with a male under observation. After mating partners should be separated. Vaginal smears of D. auricularis before mating after mating 12

Stylodipus telum A 30 -day old Stylodipus telum, April, 1989, Moscow zoo The female’s vagina opened 5 days after hibernation period had finished. The next day the smear showed the picture of estrus and the female was paired with a male. The partners were separated 2 days later. The length of gestation period was 19 -20 days. It was the first case of breeding of hibernating jerboas in captivity. Changes of vaginal cytology in Stylodipus telum after hibernation period 5. 03. 89 - diestrus, perforation of vagina 7. 03. 89 -metoestrus, 8. 03. 89 6. 03. 89 - estrus, metoestrus-diestrus, pairing with a male the partners are sitting together the pair is separated 13

Meriones vinogradovi Animals of this species appeared in our collection in 1985 from the wild. The first breeding took place in 1987 after normalisation of cycles in females. This has resulted from regular taking of vaginal smears. Normalisation of female’s cycles resulting from regular taking of vaginal smears estrus Successful mating proestrus/metoestrus diestrus days 14