Hamster Reproduction - Anatomy & Physiology

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Male

The anogenital distance is longer in the male, which has a more prominent genital papilla.

Penis

  • Os penis lies within the tissue of the penis.
    • Supporting bone is the Baculum.
      • Baculum consists of two lateral prongs and a dorsal prong.

Testes

  • Two large testes in an external scrotum.
    • Retained in the scrotum by a pad of fat in the inguinal canal.
  • Chinese Hamster:
    • Testes remain internal.

Accessory Sex Glands

  • Several large accessory glands including:
    • Ampulla Glands
    • Seminal Vesicles
    • Coagulating Glands
    • Prostate (three-lobed)
    • Bulbourethral Glands
  • Produce a urethral plug.
  • Scent gland on each flank to mark territory.

Mammary Gland

  • Teats are absent.

Female

Reproductive Tract

Ovary

  • Ovaries are oval in shape, situated dorsolateral to the kidneys.
    • Completely enclosed in a fat-filled ovarian bursa.
    • Uterine artery provides a major blood supply to the ovary.
    • Coils of the ovarian and uterine arteries anastoamose close to the ovary.

Oviduct

Uterus

Vagina

  • The urinary opening is cranial and the anus is caudal with the vaginal opening in between.
  • Vagina has a pair of vaginal pouches.
    • Extend caudally, terminating at the level of the vaginal orifice.

Oestrous Cyclicity

  • Spontaneous ovulator.
    • Ovulation occurs ~ 12 hours after the LH surge, usually resulting in the release of ova at night (hamsters are nocturnal).
  • Seasonally polyoestrus
  • Oestrus every 5-7 days
    • Secretes copious white vaginal discharge during oestrus.
      • Changes consistency from stringy to waxy over the 3 day oestrus period.
  • Post-partum oestrus

Copulation

  • Lasts 30 minutes.
  • Mating may be confirmed by the presence of a 'copulatory plug'.
  • Pseudopregnancy can occur after an infertile mating.

Mammary Gland

  • 6 pairs of teats
  • Extend from the thoracic to inguinal region.


Breed Differences

Syrian (Golden) hamster

Syrian Hamster Foetus during Late Gestation- Courtesy of Andrew Crook, Copyright RVC 2008
  • Sexually mature at 6-8 weeks
  • Gestation period: 6-8 days
  • Litter size 5-9: offspring
    • Weaned at 21-28 days.

Russian Hamster

  • Sexually mature at 6-8 weeks
  • Gestation period: 6-8 days
  • Litter size: 4 offspring
    • Will cannabilise young if disturbed.
    • Weaned at 16-18 days.

Chinese Hamster

  • Sexually mature at 7-14 weeks
  • Gestation period 7-14 days
  • Litter size: 4 offspring
    • Will cannabilise young if disturbed.
    • Weaned at 21 days.