The Postnatal Development of the Reproductive System of the Golden Hamster (Cricetus auratus) and Its Reactivity to Hormones

Abstract

The normal postnatal development of the reproductive system of [male] and [female] golden hamsters, and the effects of injns. of equine gonado-trophin, testosterone propionate, and estradiol benzoate were studied in 546 animals ranging in age from birth to puberty. It was found that: the reproductive system of the hamster does not continue its rapid prenatal growth in postnatal life except in the early maturation of the ovary, the establishment of the estrous cycles and the extremely precocious opening of the vagina; the reproductive system is, in general, less reactive than that of the rat to the same hormone doses; and the age of highest reactivity of the [male] organs is 16 days, of the ovary 36 days, and of the [female]9 accessory organs, 6 and 10 days.