noun
- A period of sexual inactivity or quiescence in the estrous cycle of female mammals, occurring between estrus periods.
Usage: biology; veterinary medicine; also spelled 'dioestrus' in British English
Examples
- The dog entered diestrus after her heat cycle ended.
- During diestrus, hormone levels drop significantly in the female reproductive system.
- Veterinarians monitor the diestrus phase to determine optimal breeding times.
- The length of diestrus varies among different mammalian species.
- Pregnancy can interrupt the normal diestrus period in some animals.