oestrus cycle

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oestrus cycle(estrus cycle) In female mammals (other than most primates) the hormonally controlled, regularly repeated stages by which the body is prepared for reproduction. In anoestrus the female reproductive apparatus is inactive; in prooestrus it becomes active; and in oestrus ovulation usually occurs (in some species ovulation is triggered by copulation) and the female becomes receptive to males. Unless fertilization occurs, oestrus gives way to anoestrus as the cycle repeats.

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