Diestrous Phase
Stringy mucous, white blood cells (not many in this photo),
nucleated epithelial cells
Copyright © 2006 by Elsevier, Inc.
Proestrous
Mostly nucleated epithelial cells
Copyright © 2006 by Elsevier, Inc.
Early Estrous
Relatively even distribution of nucleated epithelial cells and
cornified epithelial cells
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Estrous
Mostly cornified epithelial cells
Copyright © 2006 by Elsevier, Inc.
Metestrous
Many WBC, some nucleated and cornified epithelial cells
Copyright © 2006 by Elsevier, Inc.
Vaginal smear procedure:
• Use clean pipet tip and inject about 25 microliters
of 0.9% saline into the vagina of the rat.
• With same tip, obtain a sample of the vaginal
lavage and transfer to a clean slide (label with
initials and the date).
• Let dry, then stain for approximately 30-45
seconds in Wright stain (place a drop or two of
stain on your slide).
• Rinse slide briefly in water, then observe smear
under microscope. Record description of smear
and determine estrous phase. Retain slide for
future reference if needed (store in labeled box in
animal room).
Copyright © 2006 by Elsevier, Inc.