Running wheel choice by Syrian hamsters

The present study investigated the preference of male and female Syrian hamsters, Mesocricetus auratus, for different types of running wheels. Hamsters were placed individually in sets of multiple cages linked by tunnels, each cage with a different running wheel. The number of wheel revolutions in each cage was tallied daily over 40 days. The hamsters did not express a preference when offered a choice of a running surface made of metal rods spaced 9 mm apart and a similar running surface covered in plastic mesh to prevent the possible slippage of feet between the rods. The hamsters did express a clear preference for larger wheels (35 versus 23 cm diameter), and for completely circular wheels over truncated ones. They neither favoured nor rejected wheels with small obstacles along the running surface. In all experiments, preferences were more strongly expressed by males than by females. Running wheels for hamsters may be improved by enlarging their diameter (to the standards often used for rats, if practically possible) and by ensuring good footing on the running surface (a space no larger than 9 mm between evenly spaced rods seems sufficient to achieve this, at least in large wheels and for hamsters older than 55 days). Installing obstacles along the running surface does not appear to make the wheel more interesting to hamsters.     

Conditioned defeat in male and female Syrian hamsters

A brief exposure to social defeat in male Syrian hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus) leads to profound changes in the subsequent agonistic behavior exhibited by the defeated animals. Following defeat in the home cage of an aggressive conspecific, male hamsters will subsequently fail to defend their home territory even if the intruder is a smaller, nonaggressive male. This phenomenon has been called conditioned defeat. In Experiment 1, we examined the duration of conditioned defeat by repeatedly testing (every 3-5 days) defeated hamsters with a nonaggressive intruder. We found that conditioned defeat occurs in all defeated male hamsters and persists for a prolonged period of time (at least 33 days) in the majority of male hamsters tested despite the fact that these animals are never attacked by the nonaggressive intruders. In Experiment 2, we examined whether conditioned defeat could be induced in female Syrian hamsters. While conditioned defeat occurred in some females, they displayed only low levels of submissive/defensive behavior and, in contrast to males, the conditioned defeat response did not persist beyond the first test. These results suggest that in male hamsters conditioned defeat is a profound, persistent behavioral change characterized by a total absence of territorial aggression and by the frequent display of submissive and defensive behaviors. Conversely, social defeat in female hamsters does not appear to induce long-term behavioral changes. Finally, in Experiment 3, we determined that plasma adrenocorticotropin-like immunoreactivity increases in females following social defeat in a manner similar to that seen in males, suggesting that the disparate behavioral reactions of males and females are not due to sex differences in the release of, or response to, plasma adrenocorticotropin.     

The influence of aging on renal response to cadmium in Syrian hamsters

To determine the renal effects of cadmium (Cd) in older animals, we administered subcutaneously a single dose of cadmium, 3.0 mg/kg/BW, to Syrian hamsters aged 16 wk (“young”) and 60 wk (“old”). Marked morphologic changes in the kidney and renal dysfunction were observed, especially in the older animals. The concentration of MDA in the renal cortex was significantly increased only in young hamsters treated with cadmium. Concentrations of glutathione (GSH) in the renal cortex were increased in the old hamsters on d 6. Increased levels of renal MDA after cadmium treatment may induce the production of GSH in the kidney thus preventing renal damage. Aging can increase the susceptibility to the renal effects of cadmium.     

Social dominance determines estrous entrainment among female hamsters

In order to study the phenomenon of estrous entrainment and its relation to social behavior two studies were conducted with female hamsters. In the first experiment single females were placed in close proximity, but not in direct contact with three other females whose estrous cycles were already synchronous. The single female was either in phase (control) or out of phase (experimental) with the synchronous females. In the second experiment two females at the same (control) or different (experimental) points in their estrous cycles lived together until entrainment occurred. Their social interactions during the initial 30 min in this shared habitat were observed and a dominance hierarchy established. Estrous stage was determined daily for each animal by vaginal lavage. The major findings of these studies are (1) estrous entrainment occurred in all female hamsters whether living in close proximity (Expt I), or living together (Expt II); (2) regardless of the stage of estrous at the start of cohabitation, hamsters' cycles may be either accelerated or decelerated depending on whether the partner's stage is ahead or behind their own; (3) social interaction appears to accelerate the entrainment process, and (4) when examined in light of social dominance, the behaviorally submissive animals entrained to the behaviorally dominant animals.     

Disinhibition of female sexual behavior by a CRH receptor antagonist in Syrian hamsters

Several conditions that inhibit female sexual behavior are thought to be associated with altered corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) activity in the brain. The present experiments examined the hypothesis that endogenous CRH receptor signaling mediates the inhibition of estrous behavior by undernutrition and in other instances of sexual dysfunction. Intracerebroventricular (ICV) infusion of CRH or urocortin inhibited estrous behavior in ovariectomized steroid-primed hamsters. Conversely, ICV infusion of the CRH receptor antagonist astressin prevented the suppression of estrous behavior by food deprivation or by ICV administration of neuropeptide Y. Astressin treatment also induced sexual receptivity in nonresponders, animals that do not normally come into heat when treated with hormones, and this effect persisted in subsequent weekly tests in the absence of any further astressin treatment. Activation of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenocortical axis was neither necessary nor sufficient to inhibit estrous behavior, indicating that this phenomenon is due to other central actions of CRH receptor agonists. This is the first direct evidence that CRH receptor signaling may be a final common pathway by which undernutrition and other conditions inhibit female sexual behavior.     

Differential hormonal control of aggression and sexual behavior in female Syrian hamsters

These experiments were designed to test the effects of chronic estradiol treatment on aggression and sexual behavior in female hamsters. Isolated female hamsters were ovariectomized and tested for their behavioral responses to a group-housed, ovariectomized female hamster (aggression test) and a group-housed, intact male hamster (sexual behavior test). Following these baseline tests, the experimental females were implanted sc with Silastic capsules containing different concentrations of estradiol (100, 25, 10, or 0%) diluted with cholesterol and retested 3, 7, 10, and 14 days after implantation. High levels of aggression were observed on the baseline test, with no changes in aggression toward an intruder female observed for any implant group on subsequent tests. Despite these high levels of aggression toward another female, most of the estradiol-treated females (80% at 14 days) were sexually responsive in the presence of a male. There was no effect of Silastic estradiol concentration on sexual behavior, even though a range of serum estradiol levels (39–105 pg/ml) resulted. Lordosis latencies decreased and lordosis durations increased over the extent of estradiol treatment. Seventeen days after Silastic implantation, all females were injected with progesterone and retested. Estradiol-treated females showed an extreme reduction in aggression toward a stimulus female, as well as a further stimulation of sexual behavior after progesterone treatment. High levels of aggression in cholesterol-treated females (0% estradiol) were maintained even after progesterone injection, and these females never displayed any sexual responsivity. These results suggest that sexual behavior in the female hamster is sensitive to estradiol alone, whereas the inhibition of aggression requires the combination of estradiol plus progesterone.     

Photoperiodic regulation of adrenal hormone secretion and aggression in female Syrian hamsters

Seasonal changes in the length of the daily photoperiod induce significant changes in social behavior. Hamsters housed in winter-like short photoperiods (SP) can express significantly higher levels of aggression than hamsters housed in long photoperiods (LP) that mimic summer. The mechanisms responsible for increasing aggressiveness in SP-exposed female hamsters are not well understood but may involve seasonal changes in the endocrine system. In experiment 1, the effects of SP exposure on the circulating levels of three adrenal hormones were determined. Short photoperiod exposure was found to significantly depress the circulating levels of cortisol and the adrenal androgen dehydropiandrosterone (DHEA) but significantly increased the circulating levels of the sulfated form of DHEA, DHEAS. Experiment 2 examined the effects of gonadal hormones on several different measures of aggression including its intensity in females housed in both long and short photoperiod. Exposure to SP resulted in high levels of aggression regardless of the endocrine state of the animal or the measure used to quantify aggression. In contrast, administration of estradiol to hamsters housed in LP significantly reduced aggression. The data of the present study support the hypothesis that SP-housed females are more aggressive than LP-housed females because SP exposure renders females insensitive to the aggression-reducing effects of ovarian hormones.     

Male dominance status,female choice and mating success in the brown lemming, Lemmus trimucronatus

The objective of this study was to determine whether female brown lemmings would selectively mate with dominant conspecific males. In dyadic encounters, oestrous females paired with dominant males engaged in more frequent lordosis and contact social behaviours than those paired with subordinate males. However, the mount and thrust scores of dominant and subordinate males did not differ significantly. When females had simultaneous access to tethered dominant and subordinate males, they spent more time in close proximity to dominant males and avoided contact with subordinate males. Copulation scores were higher with dominant males. In triadic encounters with free-moving dominant and subordinate males, oestrous females spent more time near, and engaged in more sexual behaviour with, dominant males. Intermale agonistic interactions resulted in ‘privileged access’ to females by dominant males. Sexual behaviour scores were lower and there was a 10-fold increase in intermale aggression in triadic encounters between females and unfamiliar dominant and subordinate males. Both intermale agonistic interactions and female ‘choice’ behaviour accounted for the differential copulatory success of dominant males.     

Nonphotic phase shifting in female Syrian hamsters: interactions with the estrous cycle

Nonphotic phase shifting of circadian rhythms was examined in female Syrian hamsters. Animals were stimulated at zeitgeber time 4.5 by either placing them in a novel running wheel or by transferring them to a clean home cage. Placement in a clean home cage was more effective than novel wheel treatment in stimulating large (> 1.5 h) phase shifts. Peak phase shifts (ca. 3.5 h) and the percentage of females showing large phase shifts were comparable to those found in male hamsters stimulated with novel wheels. The amount of activity induced by nonphotic stimulation and the amount of phase shifting varied slightly with respect to the 4-day estrous cycle. Animals tended to run less and shift less on the day of estrus. Nonphotic stimulation on proestrus often resulted in a 1-day delay of the estrous cycle reflected in animals' postovulatory vaginal discharge and the expression of sexual receptivity (lordosis). This delay of the estrous cycle was associated with large phase advances and high activity. These results extend the generality of nonphotic phase shifting to females for the first time and raise the possibility that resetting of circadian rhythms can induce changes in the estrous cycle.     

Effects of delta-aminolevulinic acid and melatonin in the harderian gland of female Syrian hamsters

Effects of delta-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) and melatonin were investigated in the female Syrian hamster Harderian gland. This is an organ physiologically exposed to strong oxidative stress due to the highest porphyrinogenic rates known in nature. Enzyme activities of porphyrin biosynthesis and of antioxidative protection, oxidative protein modification, and histological integrity were studied. In the porphyrin biosynthetic pathway, ALA and melatonin acted synergistically by downregulating ALA synthase (ALA-S) and stimulating product formation from ALA; the combination of ALA and melatonin suppressed ALA-S activity, down to about 1% of that in controls. While ALA effects on porphyrinogenesis can be interpreted in terms of homeostasis, melatonin's actions may be seen in relation to seasonality and/or reduction of oxidative stress. Among antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione reductase (GR) activities were diminished by ALA, presumably due to the vulnerability of their active centers to free radicals, whereas melatonin moderately increased SOD. Both ALA and melatonin strongly stimulated catalase (CAT), thereby counteracting the oxidative stress induced by ALA and its metabolites. Nevertheless, exogenous ALA caused a strong net rise in protein carbonyl and considerable damage of tissue. When given together with ALA, melatonin antagonized these effects and largely protected the integrity of glandular structures.     

Gonadal hormones modulate the display of submissive behavior in socially defeated female Syrian hamsters

There are striking differences in the behavioral response to social defeat between male and female Syrian hamsters. Whereas males exhibit a prolonged behavioral response to defeat (i.e., conditioned defeat), many females remain aggressive or show only a transient submissive response following defeat. The current study tested the hypothesis that sex steroids underlie this differential behavioral responsivity to social defeat. Female hamsters were ovariectomized and implanted with Silastic capsules containing estradiol (E(2)), testosterone (T), progesterone (P), dihydrotestosterone (DHT), or a blank capsule (no hormone replacement). After a 3-week recovery period, each subject was placed inside the home cage of a larger, more aggressive female for four 5-min defeat trials. The following day, each animal was tested for conditioned defeat by testing it in its own home cage in the presence of a smaller, non-aggressive intruder. Submissive, aggressive, social, and nonsocial behaviors were subsequently scored. Hamsters receiving E(2) or T displayed significantly lower levels of submissive behavior than did animals receiving P, DHT, or no hormone replacement. There were no significant differences in aggressive behavior among groups. These data suggest that gonadal hormones can influence submissive behavior in female hamsters. Collectively, these results suggest that the sex differences observed in conditioned defeat may, in part, be explained by sex differences in circulating gonadal hormones.     

Male Syrian hamsters demonstrate a conditioned place preference for sexual behavior and female chemosensory stimuli

Sexual behavior is a natural reward for many rodent species, and it often includes chemosensory-directed components. Chemosensory stimuli themselves may also be rewarding. Conditioned place preference (CPP) is one paradigm frequently used to test the rewarding properties of a range of stimuli. Males and females of several rodent species show a CPP for sexual behavior; however, it is currently unknown whether sexual behavior can induce a CPP in male Syrian hamsters. As male Syrian hamsters are an animal model commonly used for investigation of the neurobiology of sexual behavior, understanding the rewarding components of sexual stimuli will better direct future research on brain regions and neurotransmitters involved in these behaviors. Experiment 1 tested the prediction that male hamsters show a CPP for sexual behavior. Female chemosensory stimuli are essential for the display of sexual behavior in male hamsters; however, the rewarding properties of female chemosensory stimuli contained in vaginal secretions (VS) are uncertain. Therefore, experiment 2 tested the prediction that male hamsters show a CPP for VS. This study is the first demonstration that both sexual behavior and VS induce a CPP in male hamsters. Thus, female chemosensory stimuli are a natural reward in a species that is dependent on these stimuli for reproductive fitness.     

The influence of caging conditions and hormone treatments on fighting in male and female hamsters

After gonadectomy, more individually caged female hamsters fought prior to the initiation of hormone treatments than did group-caged females. Daily injections of testosterone propionate (TP), estradiol benzoate (EB), or progesterone (Prog) had no influence on the number of individually caged females that fought. However, TP and EB were effective in increasing the number of group-caged females that fought. In contrast to females, both individually and group-caged males fought infrequently after castration. Daily injections of TP, EB, or Prog were effective in increasing the number of individually caged males that fought, while only TP and EB were effective in group caged males. Prog failed to increase the number of group-caged hamsters of either sex that fought.     

Soyasaponins lowered plasma cholesterol and increased fecal bile acids in female golden Syrian hamsters

A study was conducted in hamsters to determine if group B soyasaponins improve plasma cholesterol status by increasing the excretion of fecal bile acids and neutral sterols, to identify group B soyasaponin metabolites, and to investigate the relationship between a fecal group B soyasaponin metabolite and plasma lipids. Twenty female golden Syrian hamsters, 11-12 weeks old and 85-125 g, were randomly assigned to a control diet or a similar diet containing group B soyasaponins (containing no isoflavones), 2.2 mmol/kg, for 4 weeks. Hamsters fed group B soyasaponins had significantly lower plasma total cholesterol (by 20%), non-high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (by 33%), and triglycerides (by 18%) compared with those fed casein (P < 0.05). The ratio of total cholesterol to HDL cholesterol was significantly lower (by 13%) in hamsters fed group B soyasaponins than in those fed casein (P < 0.05). The excretion of fecal bile acids and neutral sterols was significantly greater (by 105% and 85%, respectively) in soyasaponin-fed hamsters compared with those fed casein (P < 0.05). Compared with casein, group B soyasaponins lowered plasma total cholesterol levels and non-HDL cholesterol levels by a mechanism involving greater excretion of fecal bile acids and neutral sterols. Hamsters fed group B soyasaponins statistically clustered into two fecal soyasaponin metabolite-excretion phenotypes: high excreters (n = 3) and low excreters (n = 7). When high and low producers of this soyasaponin metabolite were compared for plasma cholesterol status, the high producers showed a significantly lower total-cholesterol-to-HDL-cholesterol ratio compared with the low producers (1.38 +/- 0.7 vs. 1.59 +/- 0.13; P < 0.03). Greater production of group B soyasaponin metabolite in hamsters was associated with better plasma cholesterol status, suggesting that gut microbial variation in soyasaponin metabolism may influence the health effects of group B soyasaponins.