Vaginal cytology and vulvar swelling as indicators of impending estrus and ovulation in the giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca)

• Published in: Zoo biology Vol. 22; no. 4; pp. 313 - 321
• Main Authors: Durrant, Barbara S., Ann Olson, Mary, Amodeo, Dianne, Anderson, Autumn, Russ, Kara D., Campos-Morales, Rogelio, Gual-Sill, Fernando, Ramos Garza, Juan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company 2003
• Subjects: estrous cycle; Papanicolaou; superficial cells; vaginal smears

The giant panda is critically endangered in its native habitat, which is continually depreciated by the pressure of human population growth, and the small captive population is not yet self‐sustaining. Female giant pandas are seasonally monoestrous with spontaneous ovulation. Precise monitoring of t...