Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
anestrum

anestrum

9.9
A time when a female mammal is not in heat between two times she is ready to mate
  • noun
  • /ˈeɪnəstrəm/
  • Specialized
translation icon : anestro
  • Research on reproductive cycles often focuses on transitions between anestrum and estrus in mammals.

Examples

  • During the anestrum, female mammals do not show signs of estrus.

  • The veterinarian noted that the mare was currently in anestrum and would not be receptive to breeding.

  • During anestrum, hormonal levels in the female animal's body are significantly reduced.

  • The anestrum phase can last several months in some species.

  • During anestrum, hormonal levels in the female animal's body are significantly reduced.

  • Research on reproductive cycles often focuses on transitions between anestrum and estrus in mammals.

  • The veterinarian noted that the mare was currently in anestrum and would not be receptive to breeding.

Synonyms

anestrus
vsanestrum
  • Specialized
9.9

A time when a female mammal is not sexually active and not ready to mate

is specific to nonhuman mammals and occurs between two estrus periods

Antonyms

estrus
  • Specialized
1 9.9

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

Surface Forms

anestrum singular
anestrums plural

Morphology

anestrum = estrus (semi-transparent) = an + estrus

Formed by negative prefix 'an-' + 'estrus'; the morphological logic is regular but the term is technical and the Latin-like ending (-um vs -us variants) and low frequency make it somewhat obscure to average learners.

Etymology

Anestrum comes from the parts an- and estrus; an- means 'without', like in anarchy, and estrus means 'being in heat' in animals. So anestrum is the time when a female animal is 'not in heat' and not ready to mate.