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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1993

[Sex chromosome behavior in meiosis in the gray hamster (Cricetulus migratorius Pallas, 1770)].

The sequence of X and Y chromosomes pairing at meiotic prophase in the Armenian hamster Cricetulus migratorius Pall., 1770 gas been studied. The results of differential staining (C-, Ag-NOR) of mitotic chromosomes are presented. The rare case of interstitial synapsis of the sex chromosomes has been described. Earlier it was established only for Peromyscus sitkensis (Hale, Greenbaum, 1986). Pairing of the X and Y chromosomes is initiated at an interstitial position of the euchromatic region with subsequent synapsis towards the telomeres of the short arms. The latter conjugate completely and in this state do not differ outwardly from autosomal bivalents. The long arms remain asynaptic (heteropycnotic) constantly but at the meiosis undergo different morphological changes (thickness, bulging, clear showing filament structures, etc.) The data obtained agree with the hypothesis of Matthey (1961) claiming that the paired parts of X and Y chromosomes of the species with large Y chromosome and visible chiasma have autosomal origin. Therefore, X and Y chromosomes of Cricetulus migratorius could be originated via autosome-gonosome translocation.

Animals↗
PubMed1976

A comparative analysis of the karyotypes of Cricetus cricetus and Cricetulus griseus.

This study presents a comparison of the mitotic chromosomes of the two species of hamsters Cricetus cricetus (European hamster) and Cricetulus griseus (Chinese hamster), which have the same chromosome number of 2n=22.--G-banding procedure reveals striking similarities in both karyotypes and gives the possibility to analyse structural changes so that two examples for Robertsonian rearrangement can be observed.--A remarkable kind of difference between the two karyotypes becomes obvious after C-banding procedure. While Cricetus cricetus shows a large amount of predominantly centromeric heterochromatin, in Cricetulus griseus C-bands are less conspicuous, and a few chromosomes do not exhibit any centromeric heterochromatin at all.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Effect of photoperiod on pineal gland volume and pinealocyte size in the Chinese hamster, Cricetulus griseus.

Male adult (200-day-old) Chinese hamsters (Cricetulus griseus) raised from weaning under either LD 16:8 or LD 8:16 were used. The pineal gland of the Chinese hamster consists of superficial (major) and deep (minor) components and a continuous, or interrupted, narrow parenchymal stalk interposed between them. The volume of the superficial pineal including the parenchymal stalk is greater under LD 16:8 than under LD 8:16. Under both photoperiods, pinealocytes in the superficial pineal have larger nuclei and more abundant cytoplasm than those in the deep pineal. Nuclei in the superficial pineal appear pale and usually have irregular profiles, whereas those in the deep pineal appear dark and have round profiles. In the superficial pineal, pinealocyte nuclei are larger, paler, and more irregular; and, in addition, nuclear density is lower under LD 16:8 than under LD 8:16. Similar, but less prominent, photoperiod-induced changes occur in the volume of the deep pineal, the size of pinealocytes, and pinealocyte nuclear morphology in the deep pineal. The results indicate that the development and differentiation of pinealocytes in both pineal portions may be advanced under long photoperiods and delayed under short photoperiods, although pinealocytes in the deep pineal may remain not fully differentiated even in adults. Since testicular weights and body weights are similar under both photoperiods, the photoperiod may exert marked influences on the development of the pineal gland without affecting reproductive activity and growth rates of animals.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Blastocyst implantation in the Chinese hamster (Cricetulus griseus).

Embryonic development of the Chinese hamster (Cricetulus griseus) was studied from the onset of implantation to the formation of the parietal yolk sac placenta. Implantation began on day 6 of pregnancy, when the embryo became fixed to the uterine luminal epithelium. At this time there was no zona pellucida, and microvilli of the trophoblast and uterine epithelium were closely apposed. Stromal cells immediately adjacent to the implantation chamber began to enlarge and accumulate glycogen. By day 7 the mural trophoblast penetrated the luminal epithelium in discrete area. The trophoblast appeared to phagocytize uterine epithelial cells, although epithelium adjoining the points of penetration was normal. In other areas nascent apical protrusions from the uterine epithelium indented the surface of the trophoblast. The epiblast had enlarged and both visceral and parietal endoderm cells were present. The well-developed decidual cells were epithelioid and completely surrounded the implantation chamber. On day 8 the uterine epithelium had disappeared along the mural surface of the embryo. The embryonic cell mass was elongated and filled the yolk sac cavity. Reichert's membrane was well developed. The uterine epithelial basal lamina was largely disrupted, and the trophoblast was in direct contact with decidual cells. Primary and secondary giant trophoblast cells were present and in contact with extravasated maternal blood. The mural trophoblast formed channels in which blood cells were found in close proximity to Reichert's membrane. Decidual cells were in contact with capillary epithelium and in some cases formed part of the vessel wall. Structural changes occurring in the embryo and endometrium during implantation in the Chinese hamster are described for the first time in this report and are compared to those described for some other myomorph rodents.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Indoleamine metabolism in the pineal gland of the Chinese hamster, Cricetulus griseus.

Day- and nighttime contents of pineal melatonin and other indoleamines were measured in the Chinese hamster, Cricetulus griseus. The hamsters were inbred in our colony and kept in LD 14:10. Absolute levels of pineal melatonin and N-acetylserotonin contents were extremely low, but showed a significant circadian rhythm with a minor peak during the light period. Pineal hydroxytryptophan and serotonin (5HT) contents were also found to be higher in the light period. The activity of N-acetyltransferase in the pineal was higher in the light period than in the dark period, whereas there was no difference in hydroxyindole-O-methyltransferase activity between the light and dark periods. The uptake level of tryptophan into the pineal gland was higher in the light period than in the dark period. These results suggest that the 5HT synthesis pathway and/or tryptophan uptake may be involved in forming the circadian rhythm of 5HT content in the Chinese hamster pineal gland.

5-Hydroxytryptophan↗
PubMed1983

Circadian variations in pinealocytes of the Chinese hamster, Cricetulus griseus. A quantitative electron-microscopic study.

Circadian morphological variations of pinealocytes in the superficial pineal of the Chinese hamster (Cricetulus griseus) were studied using quantitative electron-microscopic techniques. The volume of the nucleus and cytoplasm of pinealocytes exhibited similar circadian variations, with the maximum around the middle of the light period and the minimum during the first half of the dark period. Synaptic ribbons in pinealocytes were classified into three groups, type-1, -2 and -3 synaptic ribbons, which appeared as rods, round or irregular bodies and ring-shaped structures, respectively; a synaptic ribbon index was determined for the respective types. The synaptic ribbon index was expressed as the number of synaptic ribbons in the pinealocyte profile representing the cell size. The type-1 synaptic ribbon index, which was smallest during the second half of the light period, was increased during the dark period. The length of straight or slightly curved rods showed a 24-h change similar to that of the type-1 synaptic ribbon index; the length of the rods was maximal during the first half of the dark period and minimal at the end of the light period. There was no apparent circadian variation in the type-2 synaptic ribbon index. The type-3 synaptic ribbon index was higher during the light period than during the dark period; the index attained zero 3 h after the onset of darkness and, thereafter, increased gradually.

Animals↗
PubMed1982

Ultrastructural observations on the pineal gland of the Chinese hamster, Cricetulus griseus. I. The superficial pineal.

The ultrastructure of the pineal parenchymal cells, pinealocytes and glia-like cells, of the Chinese hamster (Cricetulus griseus) is described. Pinealocyte nuclei contain spindle-shaped inclusions consisting of bundles of closely packed parallel filaments of about 8 nm in thickness. Mitochondria contain lamellar and tubular cristae. Smaller and larger mitochondria are usually localized separately in individual pinealocytes. Flattened mitochondria contain two to four closely arranged, unusual lamellar cristae, which lie parallel to the surface of the mitochondria. These cristae exhibit particular structures. Rough endoplasmic reticulum is frequently found in close association with such flattened mitochondria. The pinealocyte cytoplasm contains stacks of flattened cisternae, which are continuous with both smooth and rough endoplasmic reticulum. Pinealocyte cell bodies and processes contain granulated vesicles. Although larger granulated vesicles measuring up to 300 nm in diameter occasionally occur, smaller granulated vesicles (about 100 nm in diameter) and larger ones are usually localized separately in individual cells. Vacuoles containing flocculent material are found in groups in close association with rough endoplasmic reticulum. Glia-like cells with darker cytoplasm and nuclei lie surrounding pericapillary or intercellular spaces. The glia-like cells are characterized by the presence of abundant lipid droplets and occasional pigment granules. Bundles of filaments run parallel to the long axis of the processes of the glia-like cells.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Effect of continuous darkness on circadian morphological rhythms in pinealocytes of the Chinese hamster, Cricetulus griseus.

Effects of a short-term exposure to continuous darkness on 24-h morphological variations in pinealocytes in the superficial pineal of the Chinese hamster (Cricetulus griseus) were examined. Pinealocytes contained type-1, -2 and -3 synaptic ribbons (SR), which had a central dense structure showing rod-like, various and ring-like profiles, respectively, and the quantity of each type of SR was expressed by SR index. 24-h changes in the type-1 and type-3 SR indices persisted in darkness and thus may be endogenous in nature. As under alternating light and dark (LD) conditions, the type-2 SR indices were almost constant over a 24-h period under continuous darkness, but the indices were larger in animals under darkness than in those under LD conditions. The 24-h variations in the nuclear and cytoplasmic volumes were abolished after exposing animals to darkness for 7 days, suggesting that these rhythms may be regulated exogenously. The amount of condensed chromatin exhibited a circadian change; this rhythm persisted under darkness. The results suggest that 24-h variations in the nuclear and cytoplasmic volumes in pinealocytes of the Chinese hamster are regulated by mechanisms different from those controlling the rhythms in SR and chromatin, and that the changes in the nuclear and cytoplasmic volumes and chromatin are related to the change in synthetic activity of pinealocytes.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

A quantitative study of synaptic ribbons in pinealocytes of adult Chinese hamsters (Cricetulus griseus) under different photoperiodic conditions.

Synaptic ribbons (SR) in pinealocytes of adult (120-130 day-old) male Chinese hamsters (Cricetulus griseus) were classified into types 1, 2 and 3; these have a central dense structure showing rod-like, various and ring-like profiles, respectively. The central structure of the type-2 SR usually appeared as round, oval or comma-like bodies, and occasionally as plates showing various profiles or club-shaped bodies. The quantity of each type of SR, expressed as the SR index, was determined over a 24-h period under a light/dark regime (LD) 12:12 or LD 14:10. On comparing the results obtained from adults with previously published data from young (60-70-days-old) animals under LD 12:12, it was found that, in both young and adult animals, the type-1 and type-3 SR indices exhibited different 24-h variations, whereas the type-2 SR index remained constant over a 24-h period. In addition, the indices of the type-2 SR, but not those of the other SR types, were found to be significantly larger in adult than in young animals. In adult animals, the effects of the photoperiod were different between the three types of SR. A nocturnal increase in the type-1 SR index was observed under both LD 12:12 and LD 14:10, its time course being different for each of these photoperiods. Under LD 14:10, the type-2 SR index showed a significant 24-h rhythm with larger values during the dark period; this was not observed under LD 12:12. The type-3 SR index was almost the same under LD 12:12 and LD 14:10.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Aging↗
PubMed1983

Effects of melatonin on synaptic ribbons in pinealocytes of the Chinese hamster, Cricetulus griseus. A quantitative electron-microscopic study.

The effects of melatonin on synaptic ribbons (SR) in pinealocytes of the Chinese hamster (Cricetulus griseus) were examined. SR were classified into types 1, 2 and 3, which appear as rods, round or irregular bodies and ring-shaped structures, respectively; a synaptic ribbon index (SR index) was determined for the three types. Administration of two doses of 1.5 mg/kg melatonin at noon and 3 p.m. causes an increase in the type-1 and type-2 SR indices 3 h after the second injection in hamsters kept under alternating light and dark conditions (lights on from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.). Likewise, in animals that are exposed to extended light for 5 h and receive two doses of melatonin at 7 p.m. and 10 p.m., an increase in the type-1 and type-2 SR indices occurs 3 h after the second injection. The increase in the type-2 SR index induced by melatonin administration to hamsters exposed to extended light is greater than the increase in the type-1 SR index under the same experimental conditions. Type-2 SR index, but not type-1 SR index, increases following bilateral superior cervical ganglionectomy. An increase in type-1 and type-2 SR indices occurs at 6 p.m. in ganglionectomized animals administered two doses of melatonin 6 h (noon) and 3 h (3 p.m.) before the time of sacrifice. No significant change is observed in type-3 SR index in animals subjected to any of the above treatments. The results indicate that exogenous melatonin may act directly on pinealocytes of the Chinese hamster to cause an increase in size and/or number of the type-1 and type-2 SR. Type 3-SR may have a role different from that of type-1 and type-2 SR; type-1 and type-2 SR may be functionally related.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Sprouting of non-sympathetic myelinated and unmyelinated fibres in response to chronic sympathetic denervation in the pineal gland of the Chinese hamster, Cricetulus griseus.

We have examined the effects of chronic sympathetic denervation on non-sympathetic myelinated and unmyelinated fibres in the superficial pineal gland of the Chinese hamster (Cricetulus griseus), using LM, EM and immunohistochemistry. The results suggest that non-sympathetic, myelinated and unmyelinated fibres enter the superficial pineal gland at its distal portion by way of the nervi conarii, and that these fibres are immunoreactive for calcitonin gene-related peptide or substance P. Non-sympathetic, myelinated and unmyelinated fibres in the superficial pineal gland increased in number following chronic superior cervical ganglionectomy. The number of unmyelinated fibres in the nervi conarii also increased in ganglionectomized animals. Thus, the numerical increase of calcitonin gene-related peptide or substance P fibres found in the superficial pineal gland after long-term sympathectomy may be due to sprouting of these fibres. It is speculated that the growth of non-sympathetic, myelinated and unmyelinated fibres and myelination of the former fibres occurring after sympathectomy are caused by nerve growth factor-related mechanisms.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Food restriction in pregnant rat-like hamsters (Cricetulus triton) affects endocrine, immune function and odor attractiveness of male offspring.

We studied the effect of intrauterine food restriction (FR) on the immune function, endocrine status and attractiveness of scents of male rat-like hamsters, Cricetulus triton. Work was conducted on field-caught parents from the North China plain and their laboratory-born progeny. Restricted pregnant dams were fed 70% of the mean daily intake of hamsters with free access to food. FR caused a marked and protracted weight reduction of the body, adrenal, testes and epididymides in males. During the refeeding period, the spleen and thymus, but not the adrenal weight of the malnourished offspring caught up with that of the control after about 60 days. The present results demonstrated that estrous females preferred the odors of control males to that of FR males. Males whose mothers were food restricted during gestation had lower testosterone concentrations, immune responses and reproductive organ mass but had higher circulating cortisol than did the males in the control group. Thus, the effect of maternal FR may be an important cause in population regulation in the rat-like hamster. The testosterone level was positively correlated with immune function in rat-like hamsters, but the lower immunity was not suppressed by higher level of testosterone, as previously suggested. We also found a negative relationship between cortisol and immune function in the rat-like hamster.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Food restriction affects reproduction and survival of F1 and F2 offspring of Rat-like hamster (Cricetulus triton).

Food restriction in parent may have long-term consequence on the reproductive capabilities of the offspring, and these consequences may, in turn, play an important role in population regulation. In this paper, we systematically examined the effect of maternal food restriction on reproduction and survival of maternal individuals, and F1 and F2 offspring of Rat-like hamsters (Cricetulus triton). Food restriction to 75% of that eaten by ad libitum-fed hamsters (75% FR) did not affect the reproductive organs and hormone concentration of maternal females, but 50% FR significantly reduced the size of ovarian organ and estradiol concentration of maternal females. 75% FR significantly reduced the testosterone concentration of maternal males; 50% FR significantly reduced both the size of epididymides and concentration of testosterone of maternal males. 70% FR in maternal females significantly reduced the sizes of reproductive organs and hormone concentrations of both their male and female F1 offspring. FR maternal females also produced significantly more male than female F1 offspring. The sizes of reproductive organs or hormone concentration of F2 males of maternal FR continued to significantly decline, but no such effect was observed in F2 females. However, the number of F2 offspring per F1 female of FR maternal females at birth became significantly smaller and with significantly more males than females. Survival to weaning of F1 and F2 offspring of FR maternal females became significantly smaller during the period from birth to weaning. Thus, the effects of maternal food restriction could be an important mechanism to explain the prolonged low population density that is commonly observed after the population crash of this species.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

Membrane-bound intranuclear inclusions in the Leydig cell of the Chinese hamster (Cricetulus griseus).

Membrane-bound intranuclear inclusions have been described, for the first time, in the Leydig cell of the Chinese hamster (Cricetulus griseus). The inclusions were not found in the 1-day-old animal, rarely found prior to sexual maturity, and commonly found in the sexually mature animals. The incidence of inclusions increases with aging. Their size and content varies greatly. They are surrounded by a single membrane and completely enclosed by nucleoplasm. Their close association with nuclear invaginations of cytoplasmic material, and their content of cytoplasmic structures along with some exhibiting the presence of trimetaphosphatase reaction product, suggest a cytoplasmic origin. This phenomenon involves the migration of cytoplasmic structures into the nucleus followed by detachment on the nucleoplasmic side. The presence of the inclusions is not an indication of an abnormality of the Leydig cell. The Leydig cell of the Chinese hamster may be an excellent model to study factors that initiate inclusion formation, and to determine the functional role of membrane-bound intranuclear inclusions.

Acid Anhydride Hydrolases↗
PubMed1983

Two types of paracrystalline inclusions in the Leydig cell of the Chinese hamster (Cricetulus griseus).

The ultrastructure of two types of paracrystalline inclusions is described, for the first time, in the Leydig cell of the Chinese hamster (Cricetulus griseus). The subunit of both types of inclusions consists of 5-nm-wide microfilaments differing only in the arrangement and shape of the microfilaments. The electron-dense microfilaments of the type A inclusion are usually in a serrated pattern with an equidistant 5-nm interval separating them. The type B inclusion has pairs of straight microfilaments separated by a 5-nm interval. Other microfilaments course at right angles to the paired units. Both types of inclusions are absent in the newborn, rarely found in the sexually immature, and commonly found in the sexually mature and aged animals. Both inclusions are found in the cytoplasm of Leydig cells, but only the A inclusion is found in the nucleoplasm. Their functional role is not yet determined, but the inclusions are commonly found in Leydig cells whose ultrastructural characteristics indicate normal steroidogenesis.

Aging↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Scent, social status, and reproductive condition in rat-like hamsters (Cricetulus triton).

This study investigated the interrelations among scent glands, social status, and reproductive conditions in male rat-like hamsters (Cricetulus triton), along with differential attraction of estrous females to conspecific males with different social status and reproductive condition. First, there were positive correlations between testes weights and flank glands and midventral glands. Second, castrated males were dominated by both intact males and castrated males treated with testosterone. Third, estrous females were less attracted to the scents from flank glands and midventral glands of castrated males. Moreover, dominant males had heavier testes and higher levels of circulating testosterone, and estrous females were more attracted to dominant males' scents. Our results indicated that estrous females were able to discriminate between the odors of two strange males with differences in reproductive conditions or social status.

Agonistic Behavior↗
PubMed1991

Identification of human hookworm in failed-treatment cases using Chinese hamsters (Cricetulus griseus) and scanning electron microscopy.

An attempt was made to identify the human hookworm involved in failed-treatment cases using abnormal hosts and scanning electron microscopy. Thirty-seven, 2 to 6 month old Chinese hamsters (Cricetulus griseus) from a closed, outbred, conventional colony, were each given between 20 and 120 filariform larvae per os. The larvae were cultured from faeces from mebendazole (Vermox) 500 mg single-dose, failed-treatment cases living in the lowveld farming area of the Transvaal Province, South Africa. About 60 to 78 days after inoculation, the animals were killed and adult worms were removed from their small intestines. Eleven (30%) of the 37 hamsters harboured a total of 31 adult worms (19 males and 12 females), while 26 hamsters were refractory to infection. The greatest number of worms recovered from a single animal was six. A total of 27 worms (17 males and 10 females) were subjected to examination by scanning electron microscopy. Micrographs showed male and female worms to be morphologically all of the Necator americanus species, as identified by a pair of ventral and dorsal cutting plates, a dorsal tooth and the fused terminus of spicules in the male bursa. The transverse cuticular striations were distinct and smooth. Several points of interest arose from the results of this study and are discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed1982

Reproductive senescence in the Chinese hamster (Cricetulus griseus).

The female Chinese (C.) hamster (Cricetulus griseus) exhibits a progressive decline in litter size after the third litter. The mean number of litters produced was 4.9 +/- .5 for 25 C. hamsters, and the mean age of the C. hamsters at the time of delivering the last litter was 16.4 +/- .5 months. Most aged C. hamsters (17 to 20 months old) retained a relatively normal estrous cycle, although fewer ovulated, either spontaneously or after mating, when compared with younger hamsters (5 to 6 months old). Progesterone injections given to aged (16 to 21 months old), otherwise nonproducing, C. hamsters after mating permitted 61% to become pregnant once again and 34% to deliver viable young. Early infant mortality in these litters was greatest, however, and growth of the young was retarded in comparison with earlier litters. It appears as if age-related changes in the ovary and uterus are primarily responsible for reproductive senescence in the female C. hamster.

Aging↗