Relationship of the vaginal smear to ovarian follicles and the uterus in postpartum Mongolian gerbils
Meckley, P.E.; Ginther, O.J.
Laboratory Animal Science 23(2): 221-225
1973
ISSN/ISBN: 0023-6764 PMID: 4349882 Document Number: 67667
Gross changes of the ovarian follicles and uterus were studied in relation to the vaginal smear in 48 post-partum Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus). Post-partum oestrus and ovulation occurred 12-48 h after parturition. A vaginal oestrus, subsequent to the post-partum vaginal oestrus, occurred within 14 days of parturition for most of the females if the litter was removed at birth. Although it was concluded that the vaginal smear was an unreliable indication of ovulation (18 ovulations for 38 oestrous periods), ovulation did not occur without signs of vaginal oestrus. Cornification of vaginal epithelial cells was associated with ovulatory oestrus, while nucleated non-cornified cells were seen more often with anovulatory oestrus. Follicular development was greater (P<0.005) when nucleated or cornified cells were present in the vaginal smear, but no difference was detected between ovulatory and anovulatory oestrus.