ESTROUS CYCLE IN BITCH

• The cycle consists of anestrus, proestrus, estrus and di estrus.

• Anestrus usually lasts for about 20 weeks in the nonpregnant bitch.

Proestrus: It is characterised by:

• Vulval oedema, swelling
• Blood-tinged vaginal discharge
• Some fastidious bitches show no evidence of discharge
• Bitch is attractive to male but will not accept the male
• It ends when the bitch copulates with the male
• Estrogen gradually increases & peaks slightly before the onset of estrus.
• It is of 9 days in bitch

Estrous:
• Once the bleeding stops
• The bitch will accept the male
• Decreasing estradiol & rising progesterone.
• Ovulation is completed at about the third day of estrus
• Fertilization is completed at the sixth day
• Fertilization takes place 48-72 hours after ovulation
• This delay between ovulation and fertilization allows for superfecundation.
Superfecundation occurs when multiple ovulations produce multiple eggs
during a single oestrus period that are fertilized by spermatozoa from
different male
• Progesterone increases during the latter part of oestrus signifying
luteinization
• It is also of 9 days
Dioestrus:
• Both pregnant and open bitches are considered to be in diestrus.
• Pregnancy does not alter the length of diestrus
• P4 peaks at about 15days then decreases gradually.
• Bitches that do not get pregnant are considered to be pseudo pregnant.

Anoestrous:
• The period of sexual inactivity.
• The same is also true after parturition following a normal pregnancy
• This phase lasts for 3 months before the bitch returns to proestrus

HUBDAR ALI KOLACHI

DVM (GOLD MEDALIST), M. PHIL (SAU)