Changes in female attractivity and proceptivity throughout the oestrous cycle of the Syrian hamster (Mesocricetus auratus)

Interactions between male and female hamsters were recorded on each day of the oestrous cycle in terms of proximity (approaching, leaving and following by each member of the pair). Time spent sniffing the partner was also recorded. Measures were extracted which related to the females' stimulus value to the male (attractivity) and to the females' initiation and maintenance of proximity to the male (proceptivity). Both were found to change not only at oestrus but throughout the three dioestrous days of the cycle. Although the concepts of attractivity and proceptivity were originally introduced in relation to the oestrous female (Beach 1976) their extension to the dioestrous period may lead to a better understanding of the social and sexual factors underlying the interaction.