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Glite Dictionary
anestrus

anestrus

9.9
A time when a female mammal is not sexually active and not ready to mate
  • noun
  • /ˈeɪnˌɛstrəs/
  • Specialized
translation icon : anestro
  • During anestrus, the mare shows no signs of reproductive behavior and hormonal activity is low.

Examples

  • During anestrus, the female does not exhibit any mating behaviors.

  • The female dog is in anestrus for several months.

  • Seasonal breeders often experience anestrus when environmental conditions are unfavorable for raising offspring.

  • The veterinarian explained that the dog was in anestrus and therefore not receptive to mating.

  • During anestrus, the mare shows no signs of reproductive behavior and hormonal activity is low.

  • Seasonal breeders often experience anestrus when environmental conditions are unfavorable for raising offspring.

  • The veterinarian explained that the dog was in anestrus and therefore not receptive to mating.

Synonyms

anestrum
vsanestrus
  • Specialized
9.9

A time when a female mammal is not in heat between two times she is ready to mate

focuses on sexual inactivity and lack of mating behavior during that phase

Antonyms

estrus
  • Specialized
1 9.9

A regular time when female mammals are ready to mate and able to become pregnant

Surface Forms

anestrus singular
anestri plural

Morphology

anestrus = estrus (transparent) = an + estrus

Formed by the privative prefix 'an-' (without) plus 'estrus'; if a learner knows 'estrus' the meaning follows directly.

Etymology

The word anestrus comes from the prefix an- meaning 'not' and estrus meaning 'heat', the time when a female animal is ready to mate, so anestrus is the period when the animal is 'not in heat'.