Skip to main content
. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2012 Feb 1.
Published in final edited form as: Genes Brain Behav. 2011 Feb;10(1):28–34. doi: 10.1111/j.1601-183X.2010.00580.x

Figure 4.

Figure 4

Vaginal cytology

a Proestrus is characterized by a low cell density and the presence of nucleated and some cornified epithelial cells. Leukocytes should be absent. b Estrus is indicated by a swab dominated by cornified epithelial cells. Again, leukocytes are largely absent. c During metestrus, the sample will contain a dense mixture of cornified epithelial cells and leukocytes. Some nucleated epithelial cells may be apparent. d Diestrus swabs are heavily leukocytic, with light expression of epithelial cells.