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Dwarf Hamster (dwarf + hamster)

Distribution by Scientific Domains

Medical Sciences	75%

Selected Abstracts

In Three Brain Regions Central to Maternal Behaviour, Neither Male Nor Female Phodopus Dwarf Hamsters Show Changes in Oestrogen Receptor Alpha Distribution with Mating or Parenthood

JOURNAL OF NEUROENDOCRINOLOGY, Issue 12 2008
M. E. Timonin
Oestrogen receptor (ER), immunoreactivity in three brain regions relevant to maternal behaviour (medial preoptic area, bed nucleus of the stria terminalis and medial amygdala) was measured in two species of dwarf hamster that both mate during a postpartum oestrous but differ in expression of paternal behaviour. Male and female Phodopus campbelli and Phodopus sungorus were sampled as sexually naïve adults, following mating to satiety, and as new parents. In all brain regions, females expressed higher levels of ER, than males. Species did not have an effect on ER, distribution except in the medial amygdala, where P. sungorus females had higher expression levels than all other groups. Behavioural status was not associated with altered ER, expression. These results were not expected for females and suggest that a primary activational role for oestrogen, acting through ER, in these regions, does not generalise to maternal behaviour in Phodopus. In males, these results are consistent with previous manipulations of the ER, ligand, oestrogen, and suggest that paternal behaviour in P. campbelli is likely to be regulated by developmental effects of oestrogen on the brain during early life (similar to Microtus ochrogaster), rather than through activation by oestrogen at the time of fatherhood (similar to Peromyscus californicus). [source]

Anaphylaxis after hamster bites , identification of a novel allergen

CLINICAL & EXPERIMENTAL ALLERGY, Issue 7 2004
D. L. Lim
Summary Background Hamsters are popular household pets and anaphylaxis after their bites have described. However, the putative allergen has not been identified. Objective This study was conducted to identify the allergen causing dwarf hamster (Phodopus sungoris) bite-induced anaphylaxis. Methods Two children with hamster bite-induced anaphylaxis were enrolled. They both had negative results to skin testing and specific IgE to hamster epithelium. However, they were both allergic to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Der p). Identification of the putative IgE-binding allergens from the hamster saliva was performed using immunoblot analysis. Results A specific IgE-binding component at 21 kD in the hamster saliva was identified. ELISA inhibition tests showed partial inhibition with Der p. Conclusions The putative allergen from the hamster saliva causing dwarf hamster-induced anaphylaxis was identified. Possible cross-reactivity with Der p was demonstrated. Further studies will be needed to identify the exact nature and function of this allergen. [source]

In uniparental Phodopus sungorus, new mothers, and fathers present during the birth of their offspring, are the only hamsters that readily consume fresh placenta

DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOBIOLOGY, Issue 7 2006
Jennifer K. Gregg
Abstract Placentophagia is common among parturient female mammals but non-parturient females generally refuse placenta. Biparental male dwarf hamsters (Phodopus campbelli) readily consume placenta. The present study quantified placentophagia and liver acceptance in the closely related Siberian hamster P. sungorus in which males do not participate in the birth and are not responsive to a displaced pup. Sexually naïve P. sungorus males and females refused both placenta and liver (all groups <10%). Reproductive females specifically consumed placenta on the day before (G17), and the day of, parturition (G18) (>80%). Males rejected both tissues on G17 and accepted placenta soon after the birth (G18) (80%) only if they were present during the birth. Palatability of the placenta was not responsible for the species difference as P. campbelli accepted P. sungorus placenta. Results are consistent with a neophobic reaction to both placenta (conspecific or heterospecific) and liver as P. sungorus also rejected P. campbelli placenta. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 48: 528,536, 2006. [source]