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{{toplink
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== Introduction ==
|backcolour =EED2EE
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|linkpage =Reproductive System - Anatomy & Physiology
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|linktext =Reproductive System
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|maplink = Reproductive System (Content Map) - Anatomy & Physiology
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|pagetype =Anatomy
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|sublink1=Reproductive System - Anatomy & Physiology#Female Reproductive Tract
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|subtext1=FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE TRACT
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|sublink2=Female_Reproductive_Tract_-The_Vagina/Vestibule_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology
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|subtext2=VAGINA
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}}
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<br>
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Vaginal smears can be used to determine the stage of the oestrous cycle. Smears are generally stained with Leishman's or a Trichrome stain such as Shorr's.
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== Vaginal Smear ==
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== Vaginal Smears ==
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* At the onset of pro-oestrus, large numbers of erythrocytes are present.
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* When true oestrus occurs, the number of erythrocytes is reduced, and the smear consists of superficial cells from the stratified squamous epithelium. Such cells include:
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** Anuclear cells
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** Cells with pyknotic nuclei
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** Large intermediate cells
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* Towards the end of oestrus, polymorphonuclear neutrophil leukocytes appear.  These become the dominant cell type during metoestrus.
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* In anoestrus,different cell types are present,these are:
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** Nucleated basal of the stratified squamous epithelium
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** Intermediate cells of the stratified squamous epithelium
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** Few [[Neutrophils|neutrophils]]
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{| style="width:75%; height:200px" border="1"
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!'''Cell Type'''
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!'''Para Basal'''
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!'''Small Intermediate'''
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!'''Large Intermediate'''
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!'''Anuclear Keratinised'''
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!'''Red Blood'''
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!'''Neutrophils'''
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|-
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| '''Early Pro-Oestrus'''
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| +++
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| +++
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| +-
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| -
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| +
 +
| +
 +
|-
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| '''Late Pro-Oestrus'''
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| +
 +
| ++
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| ++
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| ++
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| +++
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| -
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|-
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| '''Early Oestrus'''
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| -
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| -
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| +++
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| ++++
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| ++
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| -
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|-
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| '''Late Oestrus'''
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| -
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| -
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| +++
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| +++
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| -
 +
| +
 +
|-
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| '''Ealy Metoestrus'''
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| -
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| +
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| -
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| +-
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| -
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| +++
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|-
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| '''Anoestrus'''
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| ++
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| +
 +
| -
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| -
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| +-
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| +
 +
|-
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| '''Vaginitis/Pyometra'''
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| +-
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| +-
 +
| +-
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| -
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| +-
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| ++++
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|
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|}
    
== Vaginal Epithelium ==
 
== Vaginal Epithelium ==
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* Anoestrous: low columnar-cuboidal, comprises of 2-3 layers.
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* Pro-oestrus: high stratified squamous persists until late stages of oestrus.
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* Stratum corneum and the layers immediately beneath it are lost by desquamation during pro-oestrus and oestrus.  This leaves low squamous epithelium, which becomes converted to columnar epithelium 1-3 weeks after the end of oestrus.
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* Metoestrus and pregnancy: high columnar, higher than during anoestrus.
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* During pro-oestrus, oestrus and early metoestrus, the epithelium and lamina propria are infiltrated with large numbers of [[Neutrophils|neutrophils]], which eventually escape into the vaginal lumen.
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[[Category:Female Reproduction]]
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[[Category:Bullet Points]]
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