Need info on equipment for vaginal cytology - Page 1

I am looking into getting a microscope to help monitor my bitches' cycles. I have a bitch whose cycle is driving me nuts! I have some good medical textbooks which illustrate the cornification of the cells and all that, but now I need the microscope and related equipment. Do you need to stain the slides or 'fix' the swab with some chemical? What magnification strength is required to correctly view the cells? I would appreciate any comments, info and ideas from experienced breeders or techs. Thanks!

Once collected, it must be kept in a warm environment (holding the tube in one's hands is enough) while it is being checked for motility (under a light microscope at 100X), morphology (under light microscope at 200-400X following staining with any cytological stain such as Diff Quick, haematoxylin-eosin or Leishman blue) I would suggest a Olympus BX3 microscope with epifluorescent capabilities if your a serious student or get a dissecting/phase-contrast/optical type microscope. Either way you'll find what your looking for, maybe just not as fast as others. Good Luck.

You don't need a strong microscope to examine the white cells, but it is not as easy to distinguish the cornfied cells from the "normal" ones as it may sound. I never did master it although I worked as a tech for many years and had enough opportunites to learn and couldn't. You could probably do better using one of the ovulation tests that some like so well. Less money and a lot more accurate. Maybe someone else can suggest some brands, I don't breed anymore so have never used them, but some of my friends swear by them. I'll try to get you some brand names if no here has any recommendations. With the use of chilled and frozen semen and the problems shipping dogs today, it seesm to be the wise thing to do. Good luck........

Michelle, here's a link that might be of some interest to you: www.camelotfarms.com

Several years back, I bought a binocular (Leitz lenses) microscope (with oil immersion capability) at the UC Davis Bargain Barn for only $250--in perfect condition. Reading vaginal cytology is a piece of cake once you get the hang of it. Trouble is cytological changes do not necessarily coincide with changes in progesterone levels or libido.