We prove lower estimates for space periodic solutions of the micropolar equations in their maximal interval [0,T∗) provided that T∗<∞. For example, we show for 0<未<1 that 20ebeb4ed6f708e99a3be14c803bf3a"> is at least of the order (T∗−t)−(未s)/(1+2未) for s≥1/2+未. Moreover, we prove the inequality , which yields the blow-up rate (T∗−t)−s/3 for 20ebeb4ed6f708e99a3be14c803bf3a"> for e18bd66121" title="Click to view the MathML source">s>3/2.