Reproductive coordination in the golden hamster: Female influences on the male

Gonadal regression in male golden hamsters was induced by short day length. Exposure to sexually receptive females living under either long- or short-day conditions failed to induce testicular recrudescence among the males with regressed testes. The combination of long day length and exposure to either sexually receptive females or cages soiled by these females significantly enhanced testicular recrudescence in comparison to males exposed only to long day length. These results indicate that photoperiodic and social stimulation can interact to enhance reproductive functioning in the male hamster and that the social stimuli involved may be chemical cues from the female.