1. A period of sexual inactivity or quiescence in female mammals between estrous cycles, characterized by low hormone levels and lack of sexual receptivity.
Usage: biology; veterinary medicine; also spelled 'diestrus'

Examples

• During dioestrus, the female dog shows no signs of heat or receptivity to mating.
• The dioestrus phase typically lasts several weeks in many mammalian species.
• Hormonal changes during dioestrus prepare the uterus for the next reproductive cycle.
• Veterinarians monitor dioestrus to understand breeding patterns in livestock.
• The length of dioestrus varies significantly among different animal species.