Figure 1.

Timeline of the mouse estrus cycle. The mouse estrus cycle occurs over 2–8 days as indicated by the histogram representing the length of estrus cycle for n = 41 female mice (E) and is represented by four distinct stages: proestrus (A), estrus (B), diestrus (C) and metestrus (D). Each stage of the cycle is distinguished using vaginal cytology and identification of specific cell types (leukocytes—yellow arrow, nucleated epithelial cells—cyan arrow, cornified epithelial cells—white arrow). Mice in proestrus and estrus are sexually receptive (SR) and mice in diestrus and metestrus are non-receptive (NR). (F) The timeline of behavioral testing shows the order of behavioral tasks performed. Anxiety behavioral tasks (red) were first carried out to prevent any effect of handling on the behavioral output. This was followed by learning and memory tests (blue) and then sociability-related tests (green). Gray arrows indicate the subsequent behavioral task was carried out atleast 24 h to a week later. Black arrows signify the next task was carried out at least a week to 2 weeks later. Blue arrow denotes that rotarod testing was carried out 24 h after rotarod training.