The influence of handling and exposure to a ferret on body temperature and running wheel activity of golden hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus)
In order to determine a stress response, two groups of twenty male golden hamsters were either exposed to a ferret or handled by a human. The hamsters’ body temperature and running wheel activity were measured as stress correlates. Half of the hamsters’ cages were equipped with a functional running wheel to determine whether the presence […]
Acute and repeated exposure to social conflict in male golden hamsters: Increases in plasma POMC-peptides and cortisol and decreases in plasma testosterone
The purpose of the present study was to characterize the hormonal response of dominant and submissive male hamsters to acute and repeated exposure to social conflict. We found that submissive, but not dominant, males exhibited elevated plasma levels of adrenocorticotropin (ACTH), cortisol, and [beta]-endorphin ([beta]-EP) following one exposure to an agonistic encounter. After five exposures […]
Behaviour of golden hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus) kept in four different cage sizes
Cages for laboratory and pet hamsters are usually small. Using video recordings, the behaviour of sixty female golden hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus), housed individually in four different cage sizes, was compared in order to draw conclusions about their welfare. The cage sizes were 1,800 cm2, 2,500 cm2, 5,000 cm2, and 10,000 cm2. Enrichment items and litter […]