Social influences on reproductive development and fertility in female Djungarian hamsters (Phodopus campbelli).

Social influences on the sexual maturation of female Djungarian hamsters were investigated in two experiments. In the first experiment females were housed from weaning with an adult male, by themselves, or with a weanling sister. Maturation was accelerated in females housed with males as indicated by younger age at first ovulation, increased rates of ovarian and uterine growth, and lower LH levels at some ages. Maturation was delayed in females housed with sisters compared to those housed alone as measured by time of first ovulation and by lower estradiol levels at some ages. The most marked differences between groups occurred 8 to 12 days after weaning, suggesting that events during this period are particularly important in the social mediation of sexual maturation. In the second experiment the effects of reproductive suppression (caused by living with a sister) on the subsequent fertility of females housed with males were examined. If male-female pairs were housed in clean cages, no effects were observed; however, pairs housed in cages previously soiled by the female and her sister had fewer young surviving until 1 week of age despite no differences in the age of pregnancy onset or in the initial litter size. Thus, even cues present in unrenewed soiled bedding may have subtle but long lasting effects on reproductive function.     

Individual Odors in Djungarian Hamsters (Phodopus campbelli)

The sources of scent in Djungarian hamsters (Phodopus campbelli) that may be individually discriminated were investigated using an habituation paradigm. Male Djungarian hamsters were exposed to five presentations of a particular scent from one individual, and then to the same scent from a novel individual. Increased investigation of the scent from the novel individual indicated discrimination of scents from different individuals. Male hamsters distinguished individual differences in scents of other males from the midventral gland, urine, feces, mouth, and the corner of the mouth, which includes the sacculi; they did not discriminate among odors of different individuals when the scents were from the genital region, hindfeet, fur from behind ears or fur from the back. The results indicate that Djungarian hamsters have a repertoire of individually distinctive scents that are located in specific places on the body; these scents are not actively distributed to, nor passively picked up on, other parts of the body. The fact that scents from some areas do not contain individually distinctive information suggests that some sources may be specialized for producing individually distinctive scents.     

Metabolism and thermoregulation in two races of Djungarian hamsters: Phodopus sungorus sungorus and P. s. campbelli

Two races of Djungarian hamsters (Phodopus sungorus sungorus and P. s. campbelli) differ in their responses to low ambient temperatures. The lowest temperature tolerated is 6-10 degrees C higher in P. s. campbelli than in P. s. sungorus, both in summer and in winter, but the highest (Vo2-max) and lowest (BMR) metabolic rates are similar in both subspecies. Body temperature and overall conductance in the cold appear to be more variable in P. s. campbelli than in nominative sp.     

Mitochondria-targeted antioxidant SkQ1 accelerates maturation in Campbell dwarf hamsters (Phodopus campbelli)

We tested two hypotheses. 1) SkQ1 positively affects postnatal development of hamsters in litters born to parents receiving long-term SkQ1 treatment. 2) SkQ1 accelerates maturation of juvenile females receiving the antioxidant treatment from 10 days of age. Parental pairs were kept in an outdoor vivarium under conditions close to natural. At the age of 25 days, juvenile males in litters born to parents treated daily with SkQ1 (50 nmol/kg per os) had higher epididymis mass. Both the size of a litter and SkQ1 affected epididymis mass in young males. Both the litter size and SkQ1 affected uterus mass in 25-day-old females. Juvenile females who received SkQ1 treatment from 10 days of age demonstrated earlier opening of the vagina. This experiment was replicated with the same result. At the age of 2.5 months, virgin females treated with SkQ1 from the early age demonstrated higher ovary mass.     

Paternal responsiveness in biparental dwarf hamsters (Phodopus campbelli) does not require estradiol

Males of the biparental hamster species Phodopus campbelli act as midwives and are responsive to an experimentally displaced pup. Males also have peripheral estradiol concentrations that are similar to conspecific females. Castration reduces peripheral estradiol, yet does not affect paternal responsiveness despite the known role of estradiol in maternal behavior. Synthesis of estradiol within the central nervous system, however, might not be affected by castration. Males received implants of osmotic pumps containing the aromatase inhibitor letrozole to reduce both peripheral and central estradiol concentrations. Though estradiol was effectively reduced, it had no effect on paternal responsiveness or reproductive success. Neither testosterone nor aggression directed towards an intruder was altered. Results support the emerging conclusion that estradiol is not required for the exceptional paternal behavior of male P. campbelli.     

Androgen-dependent atypical fibromas spontaneously arising in the skin of Djungarian hamsters (Phodopus sungorus)

Spontaneous atypical fibromas that arose in the thoracoabdominal skin of one aged female and 31 aged male Djungarian hamsters (Phodopus sungorus) were examined histologically, immunohistochemically, and ultrastructurally. The normal skin from both sexes obtained at various intervals until the age of 12 months was examined, as were the tumors. These tumors were composed of ganglion cell-like (GL) cells that had one or two ovoid nuclei, basophilic foamy cytoplasm, and various amount of collagen fibers between the cells. The tumor cells had positive reaction to vimentin and androgen receptor (AR); the stromal collagen fibers reacted positively with the antibody against collagen type I or III. Ultrastructurally, the tumor cells had abundant rough endoplasmic reticulum in the cytoplasm. On the other hand, small nests of the cells mimicking tumor GL cells were present in the dermal layer to the panniculus of the normal thoracoabdominal skin of adult males, but were seldom found in adult females. The morphologic and immunohistochemical features of these tumor GL cells were basically similar to those of normal skin GL cells, although the former had a certain degree of atypia. These results suggest that atypical skin fibroma in the Djungarian hamster is an androgen-dependent tumor and originates from skin GL cells.     

Development of Species Preferences in Two Hamsters, Phodopus campbelli and Phodopus sungorus: Effects of Cross-Fostering

Experiments were conducted to investigate species-specific preferences in two closely related species of hamsters, Phodopus campbelli and Phodopus sungorus . Male hamsters that were raised with conspecifics spent more time investigating an anaesthetized conspecific male than a heterospecific male, and also spent more time investigating odours of conspecifics than those of heterospecifics (midventral gland, urine, and saccular secretion). Cross-fostered P. sungorus males reversed their normal preferences, spending more time investigating stimuli (anaesthetized males and all three odours) of the foster species. Cross-fostered P. campbelli males also investigated an anaesthetized male of the foster species more than a male of their own species, but did not show a preference for odours alone. Social experience during the 15 d immediately following weaning also influenced these preferences. If exposures during and after nesting were to heterospecifics the preference for heterospecifics was strengthened; if either period of experience was with a conspecific, this eliminated the preference for heterospecifics in P. sungorus but did not influence the lack of a preference in P. campbelli . Thus, early experience during both the nestling stage and the 15 d after weaning influenced responses to species-typical cues in both species, but it had a more pronounced effect in P. sungorus .     

Follicular development in immature Djungarian hamsters (Phodopus sungorus) and the influence of exogenous gonadotropins

This study evaluated follicular development and oocyte growth in ovaries of immature Djungarian hamsters from 8 to 28 days of age and examined the influence of exogenous gonadotropins on follicular growth. An age-specific pattern of progressive follicular development was found, beginning with a compact, virtually undifferentiated ovary containing mostly small follicles on Day 8 postpartum and progressing to an ovary with mature preovulatory follicles at the end of the fourth week. Antral follicles not present on Day 12 were first detected on Day 16 postpartum. Follicles were sensitive to gonadotropins (GTH) by Day 12 postpartum, as indicated by the stimulation of follicular maturation by treatment with GTH. Ovulation, however, could be induced only when treatment with GTH was begun with females from Day 14 postpartum onwards. It was concluded that the injected GTH initiated and enhanced follicular growth in immature Djungarian hamsters.     

Castration reduces male testosterone, estradiol, and territorial aggression, but not paternal behavior in biparental dwarf hamsters (Phodopus campbelli)

Biparental male hamsters, Phodopus campbelli, act as midwives during the birth of their litter and are highly responsive to an experimentally displaced pup. They also have high peripheral concentrations of estradiol, a hormone with known roles in maternal behavior. Surgical castration during the gestation of their first litter was used to investigate the source of that estradiol and the functional role of testicular sex steroids in paternal responsiveness. In Experiment I, castration reduced both testosterone and estradiol concentrations, confirming that the testes were the primary source of estradiol. However, neither paternal responsiveness nor multiple measures of reproductive success were altered by the castration. Aggression directed towards an intruder, however, was reduced by castration. In Experiment II, removal of prior experience with birth or pups also failed to alter paternal responsiveness in castrated males. Although the present results do not preclude a role for local estradiol synthesis in the brain, results do not support an association between high circulating estradiol in males and their paternal behavior.     

Sustained reproductive responses in Djungarian hamsters (Phodopus sungorus) exposed to a single long day

Male and female Djungarian hamsters maintained from birth in a short photoperiod (8 h light per day; 8L:16D) showed substantial testicular and uterine growth in response to a single long photoperiod or a 15-min light pulse that interrupted the 16-h dark period at 18 days of age. These light regimens resulted in heavier testes and uteri at 30 and 35 days of age when compared with those of control animals. Similar results were obtained in hamsters maintained from birth to Day 18 in a long photoperiod (16L:8D), given a single longer day (20L:4D) or constant light on Day 18 and then transferred to a short photoperiod (8L:16D) on Day 19. At 35 days of age animals that received extended light treatment on Day 18 had significantly more developed reproductive structures than did control hamsters. The marked effects of brief light treatment in producing long-term changes in the reproductive axis provide a convenient mammalian model system in which to study neuroendocrine events that underlie photoperiodism.     

A high incidence of abdominal pregnancy in the Djungarian hamster (Phodopus sungorus).

Eight animals with abdominal fetuses were found in a relatively small colony of Djungarian hamsters. All the fetuses were macerated. Some had remains of an amniotic sac with an umbilical attachment to a placenta adherent to the peritoneum, but others were without placental remains. Gross and histological examinations failed to reveal any ruptures of the uterus or oviducts. It was not possible to decide whether the abdominal pregnancies were primary or secondary.     

Seasonal changes in circulating levels of thyroid hormones are not dependent on the age in Djungarian hamsters Phodopus sungorus

1. Plasma levels of total and free thyroxine (T4; FT4) and triiodothyronine (T3; FT3) were measured by radioimmunoassay in adult and senescent Djungarian hamsters at different times of the year. 2. Seasonal changes of both hormones were found in adult and senescent hamsters. 3. However, except for total thyroxine, the patterns were different in both groups of hamsters. 4. These results suggest, that in Djungarian hamsters age-related changes of thyroid function do not affect the secretory activity of the thyroid gland rather than the phase of the seasonal cycle.     

Re-entrainment behavior of Djungarian hamsters (Phodopus sungorus) with different rhythmic phenotype following light-dark shifts

Djungarian hamsters bred at the authors' institute reveal two distinct circadian phenotypes, the wild-type (WT) and DAO type. The latter is characterized by a delayed activity-onset, probably due to a deficient mechanism for photic entrainment. Experiments with zeitgeber shifts have been performed to gain further insight into the mechanisms underlying this phenomenon. Advancing and delaying phase shifts were produced by a single lengthening or shortening of the dark (D) or light (L) time by 6?h. Motor activity was recorded by passive infrared motion detectors. All WT hamsters re-entrained following various zeitgeber shifts and nearly always in the same direction as the zeitgeber shift. On the other hand, a considerable proportion of the DAO animals failed to re-entrain and showed, instead, diurnal, arrhythmic, or free-running activity patterns. All but one of those hamsters that re-entrained did so by delaying their activity rhythm independently of the direction of the LD shift. Resynchronization occurred faster following a delayed than an advanced shift and also after changes of D rather than L. WT animals tended to re-entrain faster, particularly following a zeitgeber advance (where DAO hamsters re-entrained by an 18-h phase delay instead of a 6-h phase advance). However, the difference between phenotypes was statistically significant only with a shortening of L. To better understand re-entrainment behavior, Type VI phase-response curves (PRCs) were constructed. To do this, both WT and DAO animals were kept under LD conditions, and light pulses (15 min, 100 lux) were applied at different times of the dark span. In WT animals, activity-offset always showed phase advances, whereas activity-onset was phase delayed by light pulses applied during the first half of the dark time and not affected by light pulses applied during the second half. When the light pulse was given at the beginning of D, activity-onset responded more strongly, but light pulses given later in D produced significant changes only in activity-offset. In accord with the delayed activity-onset in DAO hamsters, no or only very weak phase-responses were observed when light pulses were given during the first hours of D. However, the second part of the PRCs was similar to that of WT hamsters, even though it was compressed to an interval of only a few hours and the shifts were smaller. Due to these differences, the first light-on or light-off following an LD shift fell into different phases of the PRC and thus caused different re-entrainment behavior. The results show that it is not only steady-state entrainment that is compromised in DAO hamsters but also their re-entrainment behavior following zeitgeber shifts.     

Post-natal patterns of plasma androgen-binding activity in Djungarian (Phodopus sungorus) and golden (Mesocricetus auratus) hamsters

The binding of sex steroids to plasma proteins was examined in post-natal Djungarian and golden hamsters. With dihydrotestosterone or testosterone as ligands, steady-state polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed 2 androgen binding components in the plasma of young Djungarian hamsters of both sexes. The fast-moving component exhibited a low affinity and high capacity for androgens and corresponded to albumin in stained gels. In contrast, the slow moving component was a beta-globulin with high affinity (Ka = 10(9) M-1) and low capacity for androgens, and was identified as a specific sex steroid-binding protein (SBP; also SHBG). This SBP did not bind oestrogens or corticosteroids and was electrophoretically distinct from corticosteroid-binding globulin (CBG). In addition, this protein did not appear to be of testicular origin because it was present in immature females and in immature males that had been castrated for 8 days. Plasma concentrations of SBP in males as measured by a diethyl-aminoethyl-cellulose binding assay were low at birth, became significantly elevated shortly thereafter when plasma androgen values were also elevated, and subsequently fell to low levels during puberty. These changes follow the same general pattern that has been described for other mammals, including humans, during this period of reproductive development. Although the significance of elevated SBP concentrations during prepuberty has yet to be determined, it appears that the increased concentrations of high-affinity androgen binding in the plasma of Djungarian hamsters plays a role in the asynchronous pubertal development of the testes and accessory organs which occurs in this species. The post-natal SBP pattern in females was similar to that observed in males. Plasma SBP levels were low or undetectable in adults of both sexes. As previously described for adult golden hamsters, the plasma of post-natal male and female golden hamsters lacked a specific SBP: androgen binding in this species is apparently limited to albumin and CBG.     

Maximum rates of sustained metabolic rate in cold-exposed Djungarian hamsters (Phodopus sungorus): the second wind

Djungarian hamsters (Phodopus sungorus) tolerate short-term exposure to ambient temperatures (T _as) down to −70°C, but surprisingly, previously appeared to reach maximum sustainable metabolic rate (SusMR) when kept at T _as as high as ≥−2°C. We hypothesized that SusMR in Djungarian hamsters may be affected by the degree of prior cold acclimation and temporal patterns of T _a changes experienced by the animals, as average T _a declines. After cold-acclimation at +5°C for 6 weeks, hamsters reached rates of SusMR that were 35% higher than previously determined and were able to maintain positive energy balances down to T _a −9°C. SusMR was unaffected, however, by whether mean cold load was constant or caused by T _as cycling between +3°C and as low as −25°C, at hourly intervals. At mean T _as between +3 and −3°C hamsters significantly reduced body mass and energy expenditure, but were able to maintain stable body mass at lower T _as (−5 to −9°C). These results indicate that prior cold-acclimation profoundly affects SusMR in hamsters and that body mass regulation may play an integral part in maintaining positive energy balance during cold exposure. Because the degree of instantaneous cold load had no effect on SusMR, we hypothesize that limits to energy turnover in Djungarian hamsters are not determined by the capacity to withstand extreme temperatures (i.e., peripheral limits) but are due to central limitation of energy intake.     

Influence of photoperiod on the ultrastructure of the hypophysial pars tuberalis of the Djungarian hamster,Phodopus sungorus

Summary Conspicuous cytological differences are found between specific secretory cells of the hypophysial pars tuberalis of Djungarian hamsters exposed to long and short photoperiods. The cells differ with respect to the shapes of perikarya and nuclei and show diverse amounts of secretory granules, lysosome-like bodies and glycogen.Dedicated to Professor H. Rollhäuser, Münster, on the occasion of his 65th birthday     

Decreased tissue guanylate cyclase activity in glycosuric Djungarian hamsters (Phodopus sungorus) that is correctable with insulin

Twelve hyperglycemic, glycosuric, and ketonuric Djungarian hamsters with average blood glucose concentrations of 295+-32 mg/dl were compared to twelve non-glycosuric, but ketonuric Djungarian hamsters with average blood glucose concentrations of 88+-11 mg/dl with regards to their cyclic nucleotide metabolism. The glycosuric Djungarian hamsters had decreased guanylate cyclase (E.C.4.6.1.2.) activity in vitro and cyclic GMP levels in vivo in liver, lung, kidney, colon, heart, spleen, and pancreas that was approximately 50% of the guanylate cyclase activity in these same tissues of non-glycosuric Djungarian hamsters. The decreased tissue guanylate cyclase activity and cyclic GMP levels in the glycosuric animals could be restored to the level of non-glycosuric Djungarian hamsters with 100 U regular insulin, but not with 50 or 10 U of regular insulin. Fifty and 100 U of regular insulin also increased the level of guanylate cyclase activity in the non-glycosuric (control) animals. There was no change in adenylate cyclase (E.C.4.6.1.1.) activity but there were increased cyclic AMP levels in the glycosuric when compared to the non-glycosuric Djungarian hamsters that were correctable with 100 U of insulin. We conclude that guanylate cyclase activity is decreased in the peripheral tissues of glycosuric Djungarian hamsters as compared to non-glycosuric Djungarian hamsters and that insulin modulates this enzyme.     

Influence of short days on diurnal patterns of serum gonadotrophins and prolactin concentrations in the male Djungarian hamster, Phodopus sungorus

Exposure to short days for 8 weeks suppressed mean serum concentrations of FSH, LH and prolactin compared to hamsters kept in long days. Hamsters in short days exhibited a small afternoon rise in serum FSH, but serum LH and prolactin did not exhibit 24-h variations. In hamsters under long days, a late afternoon-early evening increase was evident for circulating prolactin but none was detected for the gonadotrophins. A fall in testes weights rapidly occurred by 14-28 days after transfer to short days. This was accompanied or preceded by a decrease in serum gonadotrophins and prolactin. Reductions in serum FSH and LH occurred in short days in blood samples taken at 09:00 h or 15:00 h. However, the nadir in serum prolactin was first achieved (at 09:00 h), at least 7 days before that at 15:00 h (i.e. Day 14 versus Day 21 of short photoperiod, respectively). The ability to secrete gonadotrophins was further tested in hamsters that had undergone gonadal regression. Castration of hamsters exposed to short days or injected with melatonin in the afternoon, a treatment known to mimic short day effects, induced a 3- to 5-fold increase in serum gonadotrophins. However, this rise in FSH and LH was significantly attenuated compared to the 10-fold response in controls in long days. The results indicate that gonadal involution induced by short days may be mediated by the decline in mean gonadotrophin secretion which, in turn, is regulated by responsiveness to steroids, as well as a mechanism independent of the negative feedback action of gonadal steroids.     

Maternal transfer of photoperiodic information influences the photoperiodic response of prepubertal Djungarian hamsters (Phodopus sungorus sungorus)

Daylengths during the spring are repeated in reverse order in the autumn. For some photoperiodic species, a given photoperiod may be stimulatory for reproduction in the spring and inhibitory in the autumn. The mechanisms regulating this type of seasonal response have, until recently, remained a mystery. Horton (1984a) showed in Microtus montanus that the photoperiod experienced by the mother influences the gonadal development of her young after weaning. To determine if this phenomenon is characteristic of other photoperiodic rodents, adult Djungarian hamsters were paired on 16L:8D, 14L:10D, or 12L:12D. Young males born from these pairings were killed at 15, 28, and 34 days of age to assess gonadal development (testes weight). At 15 days testicular development was identical in all groups; by 28 days, however, males raised in 16L:8D or 14L:10D exhibited a greater degree of testicular development than those raised in 12L:12D. Next, females maintained on each of the three photoperiods throughout gestation were transferred, with their offspring, to the other two photoperiods at birth. Postnatal exposure to 14L:10D or 12L:12D inhibited testicular development in young that had been gestated on 16L:8D. Both 16L:8D and 14L:10D stimulated testicular growth in animals that had been gestated on 12L:12D or 14L:10D. Therefore, a) 16L:8D stimulates testicular growth in all animals, b) 12L:12D inhibits testicular growth in all animals, and c) the testicular response to 14L:10D depends on the photoperiod experienced by the mother during pregnancy.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)