What stage occurs when an animal is receptive to breeding?

The stage in which an animal is receptive to breeding is known as estrus. During this phase, the female is in heat, meaning she is ovulating and capable of conceiving. Behavioral changes become evident, such as increased vocalization, restlessness, and specific mating behaviors. This is the time when males are attracted to females due to the scent and pheromones released by the female, signaling her readiness for mating.

Proestrus is the phase that precedes estrus, characterized by physiological changes as the female prepares for potential breeding, but during this stage, she is not yet receptive to mating. Metestrus and diestrus occur after estrus; during metestrus, the female is no longer receptive to males, and diestrus is the stage before the next proestrus, typically involving hormonal changes as the body prepares for the possibility of pregnancy or returns to a resting state if fertilization does not occur.

Understanding the estrus stage is crucial for breeding management in animals, as it directly relates to planning for mating and successful reproduction.