Phenomena and Processes

Estrous Cycle

The period of cyclic physiological and behavior changes in non-primate female mammals that exhibit ESTRUS. The estrous cycle generally consists of 4 or 5 distinct periods corresponding to the endocrine status (PROESTRUS; ESTRUS; METESTRUS; DIESTRUS; and ANESTRUS).

National Library of MedicineMedical Subject Headings2026

Structured Summary

Abstract

The period of cyclic physiological and behavior changes in non-primate female mammals that exhibit ESTRUS. The estrous cycle generally consists of 4 or 5 distinct periods corresponding to the endocrine status (PROESTRUS; ESTRUS; METESTRUS; DIESTRUS; and ANESTRUS).

MeSH Record

Classification

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See Also

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Synonyms

3 entry terms
  • Cycle, Estrous
  • Cycles, Estrous
  • Estrous Cycles

MeSH Record

Aspects Covered

9 allowable subheadings

Indexed with the subheadings blood, cerebrospinal fluid, drug effects, genetics, immunology, metabolism, physiology, radiation effects, urine.

MeSH Record

Indexing Annotation

non-primate mammals only; humans & other primates, use MENSTRUAL CYCLE

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History Note

2002; use ESTRUS 1975-2001

MeSH Record

Previous Indexing

  • Estrus (1964-2001)

MeSH Hierarchy

Tree Number

  1. G08.686.195w

AMA Style

References

  1. National Library of Medicine. Estrous Cycle. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). 2026. Unique ID D030762. http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2026/D030762
  2. Estrous Cycle. In: Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Estrous_cycle
  3. Estrous Cycle. In: Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q388121