关键词: 子午沙鼠, 发情周期, 阴道涂片, 角化细胞, HE染色

Abstract: Objective To observe the estrous cycles of Meridian gerbils and understand the estrous regularity of Meridian gerbils. Method Twenty-four female M. meridianus vaginal epithelial cell smears were collected at intervals of 4 hours and 20 days. The morphology and quantity of conified cells of vaginal exfoliated epithelial cells were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining. The estrous cycles of meridian gerbils were determined. Result The estrus cycle of meridian gerbils can be divided into four stages : proestrus ( 22. 0 ± 12. 0) h, estrus( 26. 8 ± 8. 1) h, metoestrus ( 18. 2 ± 9. 1 ) h and Dioestrus ( 50. 0 ± 38. 2 ) h, and eestrus cycle ( 4.7±1.2 ) d. The proportions of nucleated cellsin proestruswere ( 80.20 ±1.83 ) %.The proportions of conified cells in estrus were ( 88.00 ± 1.86 ) %.The proportions of conified cells in metoestrus were ( 24.80 ±1.43 ) %.The proportions of lymphocytes metoestrus were ( 48.20 ±2.05 ) %.The proportions of conified cells were ( 24.80 ±1.43 ) %.The proportions of lymphocytes in dioestrus were ( 91. 70±1. 66 ) %. Conclusion It provides the basis for the study of estrous cycle of female Meriones meridianus.

Key words: Merione meridianus, Estrus cycle, Vaginal smear , Keratinocyte, HE staining