Copyright © 2006 by Elsevier, Inc.

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

Copyright © 2006 by Elsevier, Inc.

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).