ANS 200: Companion Animals

Hamster Reproduction

IV.    Hamsters (Golden)        

            A.        General        

                        1.         Male–Buck

                        2.         Female–Doe

                        3.         Young–Pup

                        4.         Group–Horde

             B.         Breeding Age

                         1.         Puberty

                                    a.         Male

                                                i.          2 months

                                                ii.          85-100 grams

                                    b.         Female

                                                i.          2 months

                                                ii.          95-100 grams

                         2.         Reproductive Life

                                     a.         Female

                                                i.          1 year

                                                ii.          4-5 litters

                                    b.         Male

                                                i.          2 years

            C.        Cyclicity

                       1.         Type and Season of Cycle

                                    a.         Polyestrous

                                    b.         Seasonal–Fall Breeders

                        2.         Length of Sexual Cycle

                                    a.         4 days

                        3.         Duration of Heat (Estrus)

                                    a.         4-23 hours

                        4.         Time of Ovulation

                                    a.         Early estrus

                        5.         Viability of Ova

                                    a.         10 hours

             D.        Mating

                       1.         Female in heat shows lordosis

                                    a.         Rigid legs and erect ears and tails

                        2.         Male investigates perineum and cleans vaginal orfice

                        3.         Male finds and place s r ight paw on pigment spot on females flank

                        4.         Copulation begins with male s r ight paw on pigment spot, left hind leg off ground, and right hind leg on ground.

                        5.         Female hold lordosis between intromissions

                        6.         9 ejaculations over a 30-60 minute period

            E.         Pregnancy

                         1.         Gestation–15-17 days

            F.         Parturition/Lactation

                         1.         Parturition

                                    a.         Pupping

                                                i.          Distinct odor

                                    b.         Nesting behavior

                                    c.         Placentophagy

                                    d.         Cannibalism common

                        2.         Littersize

                                    a.         6-10 pups

                         3.         Mammary Glands

                                    a.         12-14

                                    b.         Thoracic and Abdominal

                        4.         Weaning age

                                    a.         3 weeks

                                    b.         35 grams

                         5.         First estrus after parturition

                                    a.         1-8 days